Monte Carlo simulations and Phy-X/PSD study of radiation shielding effectiveness and elastic properties of barium zinc aluminoborosilicate glasses

Mechanical and radiation shielding properties of two series of BaO–ZnO–La2O3–Al2O3–B2O3–SiO2 glasses were investigated in order to assess their suitability for potential use as a shielding material in various applications. The influence of the molar ratio [ZnO]/[B2O3]+[SiO2] on mechanical and shielding characteristics is discussed in this report. The Makishima-Mackenzie model was used to evaluate the elastic moduli, including Poisson's ratio. It was observed that increasing the nominal molar ratio improved the mechanical properties and microhardness while having little effect on the Poisson's ratio of multicomponent glass systems. The mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) was calculated between 0.015 and 15 MeV numerically by Phy-X/PSD program, and the obtained results were compared with Monte Carlo simulations. Other significant shielding parameters such as linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), mean free path (MPF), half layer value (HVL), equivalent (Zeq), and an effective atomic number (Zeff) were determined for the fabricated glass systems based on the calculated μm values. The G-P fitting approach was also utilized to compute the exposure and energy adsorption accumulation factors (i.e., EBF and EABF) for the two glass series. Furthermore, the fast neutron removal cross-sections of the glasses have been examined and compared to those of standard materials. The glass with the chemical formula 10.37BaO-23.04ZnO-13.54La2O3-4.80Al2O3-8.60B2O3-39.65SiO2 (mol%) was determined to have the most promising characteristics for radiation-shielding applications among the two series of glass tested here. The elastic moduli and shielding properties were correlated and discussed according to the atomic molar volume and possible structures presented in the glassy networks. The tested glasses were found to possess superior shielding properties than a standard concert, zinc oxide-silica glass, and lead-zinc phosphate glass. As a result, these glasses have the potential to be an excellent choice for radiation protection, both indoors and out. •Radiation shielding and mechanical parameters of barium zinc aluminoborosilicate glasses is investigated.•Mechanical characteristics have been improved with increasing the nominal molar ratio.•The glass of the form 10.37BaO-23.04ZnO-13.54La2O3-4.80Al2O3-8.60B2O3-39.65SiO2 (mol%) has the most promising properties.•The HVL found to increase exponentially with photon energy.