Alsawah, M., Khalil, R., Reda, A. (2025). Gamma-ray and fast neutron radiation shielding of HDPE reinforced with B4C and 𝛼-Fe2O3. Bulletin of Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, 2025(2), 14-25. doi: 10.21608/bfszu.2024.303717.1412
Mohamed Alsawah; Rania Khalil; Ahmed Reda. "Gamma-ray and fast neutron radiation shielding of HDPE reinforced with B4C and 𝛼-Fe2O3". Bulletin of Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, 2025, 2, 2025, 14-25. doi: 10.21608/bfszu.2024.303717.1412
Alsawah, M., Khalil, R., Reda, A. (2025). 'Gamma-ray and fast neutron radiation shielding of HDPE reinforced with B4C and 𝛼-Fe2O3', Bulletin of Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, 2025(2), pp. 14-25. doi: 10.21608/bfszu.2024.303717.1412
Alsawah, M., Khalil, R., Reda, A. Gamma-ray and fast neutron radiation shielding of HDPE reinforced with B4C and 𝛼-Fe2O3. Bulletin of Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, 2025; 2025(2): 14-25. doi: 10.21608/bfszu.2024.303717.1412
Gamma-ray and fast neutron radiation shielding of HDPE reinforced with B4C and 𝛼-Fe2O3
2Physics department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.
3physics department, faculty of science, Zagazig university
Abstract
In the field of radiation shielding materials, polymer composites have gained significant attention due to their favorable properties such as lightweight, ease of processing, and cost-effectiveness. Among various polymers, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) has shown promise as a shielding material against gamma rays. In this paper, we explore the potential of enhancing the gamma-ray and neutron radiation shielding effectiveness of HDPE through the incorporation of boron carbide (B4C) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles. Samples were fabricated using compression molding from Pure HDPE (S1), HDPE/10% B4C (S2), and HDPE/10% B4C/30% α-Fe2O3 (S3). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to characterize the prepared samples. Mechanical property evaluations revealed that Sample S3 (HDPE/10% B4C/30% α- Fe2O3) exhibited exceptional performance compared to other samples. The addition of B4C and Fe2O3 to HDPE resulted in a broader full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum and a smaller average crystallite diameter (D) at the primary characteristic scattering angle of 21.49°. 239Pu–Be was used as a source of fast neutrons with a neutron yield of 1.7x106 n/sec and were detected by the stilbene scintillator. Neutron removal cross-sections (ΣR), mean free path (MFP), and half-value layer (HVL) were calculated for the prepared composites. Gamma-ray transmission through these composites was also studied. Results indicate that the composite with 30% iron oxide (S3) exhibited superior shielding properties for both neutrons and gamma rays compared to the other samples.
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