Nuclear shielding properties of Ni-, Fe-, Pb-, and W-based alloys

This paper presents an extensive evaluation for the nuclear shielding features of Ni-, Fe-, Pb-, and W-based alloys using FLUKA simulations and XCOM nuclear database. The simulations procedures were applied based on the concept of the narrow beam experiment for gamma energies between 0.284 MeV and 1.275 MeV. The findings of the simulations were consistent with the XCOM nuclear database, and this reflects the capability of FLUKA as an accurate technique for developing new alloys for shielding applications in nuclear sites. Here, the maximum radiation protection efficiency is found at 0.284 MeV with values of 64.5692%, 59.0452%, 98.3307% and 99.3249% for Ni-based, Fe-based, Pb-based and W-based alloy, respectively. On the other hand, the neutron cross sections of the present alloys are very close to each other and there is not significant variation of such cross sections with the chemical compositions of the studied alloys.

Automated summary

This paper presents an extensive evaluation of the nuclear shielding features of Ni-, Fe-, Pb-, and W-based alloys using FLUKA simulations and XCOM nuclear database. The findings show that FLUKA is an accurate technique for developing new alloys for shielding applications in nuclear sites. The radiation protection efficiency varies for different alloys at 0.284 MeV, while the neutron cross sections of the studied alloys are similar, with no significant variation with chemical compositions.