THE EFFECT OF Nb2O5 FOR GAMMA RAYS, FAST AND THERMAL NEUTRONS SHIELDING ON B2O3-TeO2 BASED GLASSES

In this work, the glass system in formula (70-x)B2O3-30TeO2-xNb2O5 at x = 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mol% were determined gamma rays, fast and thermal neutrons shielding properties. The gamma-ray shielding properties have been explained for some parameters such as mass attenuation coefficients (mm), effective atomic number (Zeff), and half value layer (HVL). These parameters were evaluated by the WinXCom software program at energies of 10-3-105 MeV. While fast and thermal neutrons were calculated based on the macroscopic neutron capture cross-section. The results found that the addition of Nb2O5 by replacing B2O3 improved gamma ray shielding characteristics. This event also improved fast neutron shielding. Whereas, the thermal neutron found that the low Nb2O5 content was superb. These results reflected that the glass sample with high Nb2O5 content is excellent for gamma rays and fast neutron attenuation while low Nb2O5 content is excellent thermal neutron shielding glass. The results of this study are useful in enhancing the efficiency of materials for shielding gamma rays, fast and thermal neutrons.