Investigation of nuclear shielding capabilities of aluminaand zirconia based ceramics with MCNP-X code

In this study, it is aimed to investigate the radiation shielding capabilities of Alumina (Al2O3) and Zirconia (ZrO2) ceramics, Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA) ceramics (ZTA-10, ZTA-20, ZTA-30, ZTA-40, ZTA-50, ZTA-60, ZTA-70, ZTA-80 and ZTA-90), four different ceramics (S1, S2, S3 and S4) including Alumina and Zirconia materials. In accordance with this purpose, the linear attenuation coefficients, mass attenuation coefficients, mean free paths and half-value layers from radiation shielding parameters of the ceramics examined were calculated separetely by using MCNP-X code and WinXCOM software for the well-known eight photon energies (1.332 MeV; 1.275 MeV; 1.173 MeV; 0.662 MeV; 0.511 MeV; 0.356 MeV; 0.303 MeV and 0.276 MeV) emited from four different radioactive sources (Co-60, Cs-137, Ba-133 and Na-22). In order to make a satisfying assessment about radiation shielding performances of the ceramics examined, all calculations were also made for both lead (Pb) metal and ordinary concrete that is most commonly used as shielding material in many nuclear applications. The results obtained were evaluated comparatively with both computer program results depending on both photon energy and chemical combination of the ceramics examined. Based on the results obtained, the possibility of alternative shielding material of the present ceramics for the nuclear applications was evaluated.