Low‐Energy X‐ray Shielding Performance of Silicide Coatings on Inconel 738 Alloy

This study explored how effective nickel silicide coatings are in providing X‐ray radiation shielding when applied to the Inconel 738 alloy, specifically for X‐ray photons generated at X‐ray tube voltages ranging from 30 to 50 kVp. The silicide coatings’ morphologies and phase compositions are analyzed by using energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The experimental results are compared with the simulated values for mass attenuation coefficient, linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), half value layer, tenth‐value layer, mean free path, Z eff , along with a fully simulated transmission factor, neutron removal cross section (∑R), electrical conductivity ( C eff ), alpha and proton stopping powers, and radiation protection efficiency (RPE). This assessment used Phy‐X and a variety of NIST tools, including XCOM, Pstar, and Astar, on all silicide samples. The findings indicated that temperature and operational duration influence the structural properties and radiation attenuation characteristics of silicide layers under optimal conditions (950 °C‐4 h), thus enhancing the LAC values. The research offers a foundational insight into the capabilities of dense silicide layers to protect against radiation in alloys, further encouraging exploration of these materials to develop safer and more effective shielding solutions.