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Introducing a Novel Polyvinyl Chloride/Tungsten Composites for Shielding Against Gamma and X-Ray Radiations



Abdolahzadeh T1 ; Morshedian J1 ; Ahmadi S1 ; Ay MR2, 3 ; Mohammadi O4
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Polymer Processing, Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Source: Iranian Journal of Nuclear Medicine Published:2021

Abstract

Introduction: This study introduces a novel polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/tungsten composites with characterization of their shielding properties by employing different techniques. Methods: The PVC/tungsten composites were produced by employing various weight fractions of tungsten micro-particles including 0, 20, and 40 % wt via melt blending method. In the next step, the linear attenuation coefficients of prepared composite samples were experimentally measured at 662 keV γ-ray, and then were compared to the data estimated using MCNP simulation code and XCOM software. Also the shielding properties of samples were evaluated experimentally with an X-ray tube at 40 kVp. Results: Recorded results showed that by increasing the weight percentage of the tungsten micro-particles, the coefficient of linear attenuation and also the absorbed dose values were increased dramatically. Samples containing 20, and 40% wt of tungsten micro-particles reached to 89.60 and 92.26 %of dose absorption, respectively. Interestingly the proposed composition were approximately 2.3 lighter than the commercial shields. Conclusion: The linear attenuation coefficient of the composite shields has been calculated to be 0.20 cm-1, which was comparable with commercial Pb-based shields. Tungsten micro-particles addition to PVC matrix can increase the absorbed dose value. Plasticized PVC has suitable flexibility and low stiffness value, therefore it can be a good alternative for commercial aprons and other Pb-based shields in low energy voltages. © 2021 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.