Investigation of Microscructure Properties and Radiation Shielding Performance of Cement Mortar with Different SiC Reinforcement Ratios

Gamma rays can originate from natural processes such as the decay of naturally occurring radionuclides in the Earth's crust and cosmic radiation, as well as from artificial sources such as radiopharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine and fission reactions occurring in nuclear reactors. They are widely used in medical and industrial applications. Despite their ionizing nature, gamma-rays are used in disease diagnosis and treatment, device calibration, and similar applications. However, due to their ionizing properties, gamma-rays can transfer their energy to living tissues, causing cellular damage and leading to health problems such as genetic mutations, cancer, infertility, and congenital abnormalities. One of the most important methods for protection against the harmful effects of gamma radiation is shielding. Lead is the most commonly used shielding material against ionizing radiation; however, its high density and heavy weight have motivated the search for alternative materials with improved properties. In this context, the present study proposes a new, improved shielding material. This study investigates the effectiveness of silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics, added to cement mortar at different proportions, as an alternative gamma radiation shielding material. Concrete samples were prepared with a constant water-cement ratio, while SiC was added to the cement mortar as a substitute for aggregate at specified ratios and quantities. Gamma radiation attenuation measurements were performed using point gamma sources and a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The linear attenuation coefficient and the radiation shielding efficiency, representing the shielding performance, were calculated. The results show that the incorporation of SiC improves the gamma radiation attenuation ability of concrete.