A study on the use of PMMA - Bi2O3 polymer composites as a replacement for concrete and gypsum at diagnostic photon energies
Haifa A. Alyousef, Mohammed F. Alotiby, S.A. Tijani, B.M. Alotaibi
Abstract
Ionizing radiation shielding barriers are used to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure to the workers and the public. This work intends to investigate the radiation shielding ability of PMMA-Bi2O3 polymer composites at diagnostic energies in comparison with concrete and gypsum. XCOM data base and computer program was used to determine the mass attenuation coefficients (MACs) of PMMA- Bi2O3 Polymer Composites at 20, 30, 40 and 60 keV. Also, EpiXS computer program was additionally used for validation of results from XCOM. The results showed that all the polymer composites are promising radiation shielding materials in comparison with gypsum and concrete. The composite with 10% Bi2O3 (P2) showed the optimum shielding properties with economic considerations. P2 has better shielding properties than concrete and similar shielding properties with gypsum. Hence, P3 and P2 could safely replace the use concrete and gypsum in the construction of diagnostics radiation facilities.