Study of the Linear Attenuation Coefficient for Gamma Rays, X-Rays, and Neutrons of Different Refractory Alloys via Computerized Phy-X, MATXCOM, and Ngcal Models

Abstract

In this study, the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) of ten refractory alloys with different percentages of elements: 90W-7Ni-3Fe, 90W-6Ni-4Fe, 91W-6Ni-3Fe, 93W-4Ni-3Fe, 93W-5Ni-2Fe, 90W-6Ni-4Cu, 90W-5Ni-5Cu, 90W-7Ni-3Cu, 93W-4Ni-3Cu, and 95W-3Ni-2Cu were evaluated. These alloys contain a high tungsten with high density, and show minimal variations in tensile strength, elongation, and hardness. The LAC calculations were performed using Phy-X software for x-ray and radioisotopes with energy ranges of (0.00804 -15) MeV and (0.00589 -15) MeV, respectively, whereas MATXCOM software was used for the photon energy range (0.015-15) MeV. LAC for fast and thermal neutrons were explored via the NGCal platform with energy (4 MeV, 25.4 meV) respectively. The LAC was very high at low energies, then a subsequent gradual decrease as energy increased for all alloys. The difference of error (Δ %) depending on LAC data was calculated and compared between all tested software, where the (Δ %) results were within acceptable limits. Furthermore, the protection efficiency (PE %) was calculated at different thicknesses for all the tested alloys. According to LAC and PE% data, the 95W-3Ni-2Cu alloy appears as the best absorber of X-rays and Gamma rays, which contains the highest percentage of tungsten, density, and mean atomic number, whereas the 90W-7Ni-3Cu alloy shows the highest (PE %) of the fast and thermal neutrons. In conclusion, these alloys are suitable for mitigating the harmful effects of exposure to photons and neutrons, and for providing a safe working environment for radiation workers.