Numerical investigation of the gamma attenuation properties of thermoplastic polymers

Authors

Jillian Camille D. Zabala ⋅ PH Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Manila
Jervee M. Punzalan ⋅ PH Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Manila
Sarah C. Johnson ⋅ PH Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Manila

Abstract

The gamma radiation attenuation properties of thermoplastic polymers, specifically Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), were investigated for their possible use as a radiation shielding material. Their shielding properties were evaluated based on μ/ρ, HVL, Z_eff, and N_eff. The theoretical and simulated μ/ρ values were determined using XCOM and PHITS, respectively, at photon energy range 0.0595 MeV to 1.332 MeV. The percent error obtained ranged from 0.16% to 0.36%. Moreover, trends in μ/ρ, Z_eff, and N_eff parameters with respect to photon energies showed that their values increased with decreasing energy while the HVL values decreased. The results also revealed that PP had the greatest μ/ρ and N_eff values, whereas PET had the highest Z_effand lowest HVL.

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Issue

2022: Proceedings of the 40th Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Conference

Article ID

SPP-2022-PB-14

Section

Poster Session B (Complex Systems, Simulations, and Theoretical Physics)

Published

2022-09-20

How to Cite

[1]

JCD Zabala, JM Punzalan, and SC Johnson, Numerical investigation of the gamma attenuation properties of thermoplastic polymers, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas 40, SPP-2022-PB-14 (2022). URL: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2022-PB-14.