Gamma ray attenuation properties of lead-barium sulfate-epoxy composite materials

This study focused on examining the performance of some composite materials made from a fixed mixture of epoxy and polymer with varying amounts of barium sulfate and lead powder added, to study their ability to shield against gamma rays. Eight samples were prepared with different weights of the two additives, while the base materials remained unchanged. Gamma ray attenuation was measured using a NaI(Tl) detector using ??7Cs and 60Co sources. The linear attenuation coefficient was observed to decrease with increasing photon energy. The sample containing 25 grams of barium sulfate and 5 grams of lead showed the best attenuation performance. These results suggest that effective and improved protection can be achieved by optimizing the proportions of the additives, particularly by reducing the lead content, to reduce health risks. The study recommends further research on the mechanical aspects and long-term stability of these materials before considering their practical use.