Evaluation of Gamma Ray Attenuation Properties of Gypsum-wood Ash Composite by Incorporating Micro-Fe Particles

NaI (Tl) detector system and Co-60 radioactive isotope were used to study the possibility of improving the radiation attenuation properties of different samples of gypsum-wood ash composite shield reinforced with micro-Fe particles. Seven types of composite shields were prepared, distributed between one sample of gypsum and two of gypsum-wood ash with concentrations of (0.6: 0.4) wt and (0.4: 0.6) wt of gypsum to wood ash respectively. Four samples of gypsum-wood ash-Fe with weight fraction (wt) of 0.36: 0.24: 0.4, 0.24: 0.16: 0.6, 0.24: 0.36: 0.4, and 0.16: 0.24: 0.6, respectively. The values of T %, LAC, MAC, MFP, HVL, RPE%, and dPb were obtained experimentally. These results were then strengthened by conducting a theoretical study of these parameters using the Phy-x/PSD platform and the NGCal program. The results showed that the radiation attenuation properties of gypsum improved significantly when the gypsum-wood ash samples were reinforced with micro-Fe particles, as the 0.6 wt of Fe addition ratio, for GA1F2 and GA2F samples, achieved a significant improvement in the radiation attenuation properties against the gamma rays. The GA1F2 sample recorded the best LAC values of 0.1257 cm-1 and 0.1121cm-1, with an increase rate of 70.5563 % and 61.9942 % relative to the gypsum sample (G) for gamma energies of 1.173MeV and 1.333 MeV. The improvement in LAC values was reflected in the values of other parameters, as the GA1F2 composite shield achieved the smallest values of T %, MFP, and HVL and the highest values of MAC, RPE % and dPb. The results of the current study showed that the GA1F2 sample could be suitable for radiation applications and reduce radiation exposure.