Uncovering the attributes of metallic waste-clay-based bricks: examination of the pressure rate impacts on the physical and radiation shielding characteristics
摘要
For this study, five pressurized epoxy clay material samples were created using a mixture of diatomite clay mineral, metallic waste, and epoxy. The five samples were pressurized at 22.84, 45.70, 68.55, 91.40, and 114.24 MPa for the samples with abbreviations C3, C6, C9, C12, and C15, respectively. The applied pressure rates ranged from 22.84 to 114.24 MPa, affecting the fabricated composites' density, where the composites’ density increased by 11% by raising the pressure rate. The enhancement in the fabricated composite density positively affects the shielding capabilities against γ-rays. Using the narrow beam transmission method, the linear attenuation coefficient for the compacted brick samples was evaluated experimentally. An Ortec NaI detector and the radioactive source Cs-137 were used to accomplish the measurements. Additionally, the Monte Carlo simulation technique (MCNP5) and XCOM database were used to affirm the measured shielding parameters as well as to determine the effect of pressure rate on the ability of compacted brick samples to shield against γ-rays with energy range of 0.015–15 MeV. According to the recieved data, the increase in pressure rate from 22.84 to 114.24 MPa resulted in an increase in the linear attenuation coefficient of the compacted bricks-based diatomite clay from 0.147 to 0.160 cm−1. Additionally, by increasing the pressure rate between 22.84 and 114.24 MPa at Eγ of 0.662 MeV, a decrease in the half-value layer was observed between 4.71 and 4.330 cm, and the thickness of brick samples that has the same attenuation capacity as a 1 cm of pure Pb decreased from 8.446 to 7.764 cm. Additionally, increasing the pressure rate improved the fast neutron removal cross-section for the compacted bricks based on diatomite clay mineral. The compacted bricks exhibit promising protection from fast neutrons and γ-rays. Therefore, fabricated composites are lightweight shielding materials for known harmful shielding materials.