A good balance between the efficiency of ionizing radiation shielding and mechanical performance of various tin-based alloys: Comparative analysis

The Sn-Bix (x = 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70%) radiation shielding alloys were prepared using a melting process of the alloying material in a ceramic crucible at 200 °C for 120 min. The structural characterization for synthesized samples was carried out using X-ray Diffraction technique (XRD). The hardness and elastic properties of the prepared alloys was measured using micro-indentation creep technology and tensile test machine respectively. XRD pattern indicated that that the crystal size of Sn phase is lowered by increasing Bi concentration in the Sn matrix. The hardness decreases as the dwell time increases. The hardness values and elastic properties (in terms of young modulus) were significantly improved due to the decrease in the crystallite size by increasing Bi content. The stress exponent (n) value increase by increasing Bi content which mean that the mechanical properties improved due to increment of resistance. Furthermore, the produced alloys' nuclear shielding ability was investigated. The μm values were calculated using MCNP simulation code and XCOM software over a broad energy range of 0.015 MeV–15 MeV with good agreement between them. Several characteristics are estimated in order to properly understand the researched alloy's radiation and properties of neutron shielding. The findings showed that a higher Bi concentration causes the crystal size to decrease, improving the radiation shielding and mechanical qualities. The alloy Sn-70% Bi has a maximum increase of vicker hardness, tensile strength, and young's modulus. The findings of the shielding parameters indicate that the alloys under study are efficient gamma shielding materials in contrast to other typical shielding materials and materials that have been examined recently. The highest mechanical efficiency and rather strong gamma-ray shielding capabilities are found in the Sn–70Bi alloy. Owing to its ability to effectively balance mechanical performance and shielding, the Sn–70Bi are approved for use in radiation protection. In addition, when compared to all other manufactured alloys, typical neutron shielding materials, and recently investigated materials, the results further demonstrate that the Sn–70Bi alloy has the best neutron attenuation capability. Furthermore, in terms of mass stopping power (MSP) and projected range (PR), the Sn–70Bi alloy demonstrates the most effective attenuation for alpha particles (He+2) and protons (H+1). These results imply that the Sn–70Bi alloy provide super