Abstract
Gamma radiation shielding capability (GRSC) of the fabricated clay-polyethylene composites designated A, B, C, D, E, F and G containing 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 wt %, respectively of recycled low density polyethylene (LDPE) were investigated. This was done by evaluating their radiation shielding parameters: the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), half value layer (HVL), tenth value layer (TVL) and mean free path (mfp) using a Monte Carlo simulation (EGS5 code) and Phy-X/PDS software. The values obtained for each parameter through each method are in good agreement. The effective atomic number (Zeff) of the composites was also estimated. Furthermore, the ambient dose rate and corresponding photon spectra at a distance of 20 cm for Am-241 source with 1 cm thickness ofthe selected Sample A and B were calculated. Though, the GRSC of the composites reduced as LDPE wt. % is increasing in the clay matrix yet the shielding effectiveness of the composites are found comparable or better, which indicates the suitability of the composites for gamma ray shielding applications.
•Clay composites fabricated with varying wt. % of recycled low density polyethylene.•EGS5, XCOM and Phy-X/PDS codes were used to evaluate the gamma shielding parameters.•The values obtained for each parameter through each code are in good agreement.•The composites shielding effectiveness were found to be better than concrete.