Exploring the radiation shielding properties of B2O3-SiO2-ZnO-Na2O-WO3 glasses: A comprehensive study on mechanical, gamma, and neutron attenuation characteristics

W3+-doped multicomponent B2O3-SiO2-ZnO-Na2O glasses in a range of concentrations (0–6 mol %) have been manufactured using the melt quenching method. The result of replacing Na2O with WO3 on the structure of zinc borosilicate glasses was examined using XRD. The density of the glass system has been determined using Archimedes' method. The substitution of Na2O with WO3 in the glass composition would result in increased density and a decrease in molar volume. The incorporated WO3 longitudinal velocities (VL m/s) increased from 4775 to 5120 and shear velocities (VS) increased from 2735 to 2955. The elastic moduli resulted in a uniform behavior when WO3 increased, and the values ranged from 72.6 to 121.1 GPa for longitudinal modulus, 23.8–40.3 GPa for shear modulus, 40.8–67.3 GPa for bulk modulus, and 59.8–100.9 GPa for Young’s modulus. The Debye temperature (θD) increases from 431.71 to 506.33 as an increase in WO3. Higher (θD) indicates stronger atomic bonds and stiffer glasses. The elastic moduli based on the Makishima-Mackenzie model have been investigated. The trend indicates an increase in (Lth) varied between 137.7 and 219.1 GPa, (Gth) ranged from 38.7 to 50.3 GPa, (K) ranged from 86.16 to 152 GPa, and (Y) varied between 95.6 and 128.8 GPa, with an increase in the concentration of WO3. The Phy-X program was used to determine the shielding characteristics for the samples, including mean free range (MFP), effective atomic number (Zeff), and neutron. Zeff increases along with WO3 concentration and MFP decreases. The increase in the (FNRCS) due to the rise in sample density is linked to the concentration of WO3. FNRCS (cm−1) values are 0.123 for SW0, 0.128 for SW1, 0.137 for SW2, 0.143 for SW4, and 0.162 for SW6. It was determined that SW6 had the best shielding capacity based on the MFP and Zeff values. This could have promising implications for various applications where radiation shielding or protection is necessary. This suggests that these glasses offer superior features that make them effective for shielding. •21SiO2-13ZnO-(17-x) Na2O-xWO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 6 mol %), glasses were manufactured.•Density increases along with their WO3 concentration.•Longitudinal velocities (VL) and shear velocities (VS) are increased.•It was determined that SW6 had the best shielding capacity.