Gamma Radiation Shielding Efficiency of High Entropy Alloys: A Comparative Study

Year 2024, Volume: 29 Issue: 2, 458 - 467, 31.08.2024

Ufuk Perişanoğlu

https://doi.org/10.53433/yyufbed.1497606

Abstract

High entropy alloys (HEAs) represent a novel class of materials characterized by their unique composition of four or more principal elements in near-equiatomic ratios, offering exceptional properties for various applications. This study investigates the gamma radiation shielding parameters of selected HEAs, namely FeCoNiCrMn, TaNbHfZrTi, NbMoTaW, AlMoNbV, and NbTaTiV. Mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) were calculated by using EpiXS program over a photon energy range of 0.015-15 MeV and these results were verified using with the WinXCOM software. The results show that the MAC values are highest at low photon energies due to the photoelectric effect, with notable peaks corresponding to the K-shell absorption edges of specific elements. At photon energy of 0.015 MeV, the MAC values for the FeCoNiCrMn, TaNbHfZrTi, NbMoTaW, AlMoNbV, and NbTaTiV alloys are 57.6, 90.4, 98.9, 27.8, and 81.5 cm²/g, respectively. Among these alloys, NbMoTaW exhibits the highest MAC value, whereas AlMoNbV displays the lowest. The half-value layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP) values were also found thinner for NbMoTaW at all of the photon energies. Additionally, the effective atomic number (Zeff) and exposure buildup factors (EBF) were analyzed. The results demonstrate that NbMoTaW and TaNbHfZrTi, offer superior radiation shielding capabilities compared to conventional shielding materials, with higher usability in environments subjected to gamma radiation. These findings underscore the promise of HEAs in advanced shielding applications, showcasing their ability to enhance safety and performance in sectors with high demands.

Keywords

Buildup factor, Effective atomic number, Gamma shielding, Half-value layer, High entropy alloys, Mass attenuation coefficient

Yüksek Entropili Alaşımların Gama Radyasyonundan Koruma Etkinliği: Karşılaştırmalı Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Yüksek entropili alaşımlar (HEA'lar), yaklaşık eşit oranlarda dört veya daha fazla temel elementin benzersiz bileşimiyle karakterize edilen ve çeşitli uygulamalar için olağanüstü özellikler sunan yeni bir malzeme sınıfını temsil eder. Bu çalışma, FeCoNiCrMn, TaNbHfZrTi, NbMoTaW, AlMoNbV ve NbTaTiV gibi seçili HEA'ların gama zırhlama parametrelerini araştırmaktadır. EpiXS programı kullanılarak 0.015-15 MeV enerji aralığında kütle azaltma katsayıları (MAC) hesaplanmış ve bu sonuçlar WinXCOM yazılımı ile doğrulanmıştır. Bulgular, MAC değerlerinin, fotoelektrik etki nedeniyle düşük foton enerjilerinde en yüksek olduğunu ve belirli elementlerin K-soğurma kıyılarına karşılık gelen belirgin pikler gösterdiğini ortaya koymaktadır. 0,015 MeV foton enerjisinde, FeCoNiCrMn, TaNbHfZrTi, NbMoTaW, AlMoNbV ve NbTaTiV alaşımları için MAC değerleri sırasıyla 57.6, 90.4, 98.9, 27.8 ve 81.5 cm²/g'dır. Bu alaşımlar arasında NbMoTaW en yüksek MAC değerini sergilerken, AlMoNbV en düşük değeri göstermektedir. Yarı kalınlık (HVL) ve ortalama serbest yol (MFP) değerleri de tüm foton enerjilerinde NbMoTaW için daha ince bulunmuştur. Ayrıca, etkin atom numarası (Zeff) ve maruz kalma birikim faktörleri (EBF) de analiz edilmiştir. Sonuçlar, NbMoTaW ve TaNbHfZrTi'nin, geleneksel koruma malzemelerine kıyasla üstün radyasyon koruma yetenekleri sunduğunu ve gama radyasyonuna maruz kalan ortamlarda daha yüksek kullanılabilirlik sağladığını göstermektedir. Bu bulgular, HEA'ların gelişmiş zırhlama uygulamalarında vaat ettiklerinin altını çizerek, yüksek taleplerin olduğu sektörlerde güvenlik ve performansı artırma yeteneklerini ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

Birikim faktörü, Etkin atom numarası, Gama zırhlama, Kütle azaltma katsayısı, Yarı değer kalınlığı, Yüksek entropili alaşımlar

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