Production of a novel high strength heavy concrete using tourmaline and galena for neutron and photon radiation shielding

Background: high density concrete is extensively used for efficient radiation attenuation in radiotherapy rooms and nuclear reactors. over the past eight years, some efficient galena-based concrete samples for shielding x or gamma rays was produced. the goal of this study was to produce a novel high density concrete against neutron and photon radiations using tourmaline and galena. materials and methods: attenuation of gamma photons was measured using a farmer type ionization chamber with a standard 60co buildup cap on a theratron 60co therapy unit. neutron shielding characteristics were measured by using an am-be source. the mcnp4c radiation transport computer code was used to investigate the effects of various shield thicknesses on the attenuation of gamma-ray photons and neutrons. results: the concrete samples had a density of 4.0- 4.2 g/cm3. the compressive strength was 326 - 560 kg/cm2. the calculated value for half value layer (hvl) of the tourmaline -galena concrete samples for 60co gamma rays was 2.72 cm, which is much less than that of ordinary concrete (6.0 cm). the mc-derived hvl for photons with the same energy was 2.77 cm, which is in a good agreement with the experimental data. moreover, toga concrete had up to 10 times greater neutron attenuation compared to that of the reference concrete. conclusion: tourmalin-galena concrete opens a new horizon in economic and efficient gamma/neutron shielding in high-energy radiotherapy bunkers, nuclear power plants, and shielding of radioactive sources.