Material characterization and Monte Carlo simulation of lead and non-lead X-Ray shielding materials

In this paper, the compositions of commercial lead and non-lead X-ray protective materials were investigated by material analysis methods as FTIR-ATR, SEM/EDS, and density measurement to estimate the content of the structures, which were not declared explicitly by the manufacturers. Moreover, Monte...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Aral, Nebahat, Duch Guillen, María Amor|||0000-0002-1560-1576, Ardanuy Raso, Mònica|||0000-0002-9809-2577
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2020
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/327301
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/327301
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2020.108892
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Monte Carlo method
Materials--Testing
X-Rays
X-ray shielding
Material analysis
Monte Carlo
Lead
Non-lead
Lightweight apron
Montecarlo, Mètode de
Assaigs de materials
Raigs X
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria dels materials
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria dels materials::Assaig de materials
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Física
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Física::Electromagnetisme
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Física::Electromagnetisme::Raigs X
Descripción
Sumario:In this paper, the compositions of commercial lead and non-lead X-ray protective materials were investigated by material analysis methods as FTIR-ATR, SEM/EDS, and density measurement to estimate the content of the structures, which were not declared explicitly by the manufacturers. Moreover, Monte Carlo simulations were carried out with the estimated weight ratio of the element amounts and actual densities. Hypothetical compositions were also generated and all the compositions were evaluated in terms of weight per area values versus dose transmission values. The results show that non-lead materials are basically composed of antimony and bismuth. The commercial material with the lowest density showed insufficient attenuation performance, hence it should not be proposed for lightweight apron production. The simulation results indicated also that non-lead compositions that contain adequate amount of radiopaque elements can be environmentally friendly alternatives for lightweight aprons at 60¿kV and 90¿kV. Besides, at higher levels as 120¿kV, non-lead compositions lose their weight advantage against lead compositions.