Abstract
The photon attenuation coefficients of 20WO3-(80-x) TeO2-xPbO (where x = 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5 and 20 mol %) tellurite glasses have been studied in the energy region of 1 keV–100 GeV. The addition of PbO into the glass system increases the mass attenuation coefficients and decreases the mean free path and the half value layer. Moreover, WTP5 which contains 20 mol% of PbO shows the highest radiation shielding capability. In addition, tellurite glasses have been compared with other glass systems, some standard shielding concretes and three commercial window glasses in terms of mass attenuation coefficients, mean free path and half value layer. The G-P fitting method also used to evaluate the exposure buildup factor of the present glasses. The exposure buildup factor of the present samples has also been compared with the other glasses, lead and concretes. It has-been found that the glasses under study have higher values of mass attenuation coefficients than that of commercial window glasses. Also, it has been found that the present glasses have lower mean free path, thus possess better shielding properties than different concrete samples and other selected glasses.
•Present work explores the gamma ray shielding properties of WO3-TeO2-PbO glasses.•Mass attenuation coefficients, half value layers and mean free paths have been determined to check shielding effectiveness.•Exposure buildup factor has also been studied at different penetration depth.•WO3-TeO2-PbO glasses are compared with standard shielding concretes and glasses.