Determining the mass attenuation coefficients for some polymers using MCNP code: A comparison study

In this study, the mass attenuation coefficient for some polymers has been determined using MCNP4C code. The simulation results were compared with available experimental data and predictions from the XCOM program in the gamma ray energies, 59.5, 279.1, 511, 661.6, 662, 1115.5, 1173.2, 1274.5 and 1332.5 keV. Comparison was also made with results obtained by Singh et al. Obtained results were highly in accordance with XCOM data. The results showed that the geometry used here is quite convenient in comparison to Singh's study in the calculation of mass attenuation coefficients of the polymers, especially for low energy photons when compared with the XCOM data. It is also indicated that the MCNP4C model used in this study can be a good candidate to be employed in order to make additional characteristics of different materials. Moreover, this method is useful in cases where no analogous experimental data exist especially for the polymers. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.