Investigation of the radiation shielding properties of doped and undoped Cu-Al-Mn shape memory alloys

The aim of this study is to theoretically evaluate, with the aid of the Phy-X/PSD software, the radiation shielding capabilities of doped and undoped Cu-Al-Mn shape memory alloys (SMAs) with varying compositions, in terms of their applicability as radiation shielding materials. For each alloy, the following parameters were analyzed: MAC, LAC, HVL, MFP, Zeff, Neff, Ceff. All parameters yielded favorable results for radiation shielding, except for the effective electron density (Neff) in the alloy coded CALM7. Additionally, these parameters were calculated for commonly used types of concrete and lead, and a general comparison was made with the Cu-Al-Mn alloys in terms of radiation shielding and material properties. Within the scope of the study, Cu-Al-Mn shape memory alloys demonstrated superior absorption properties compared to concrete types, and were found to be comparable to lead in terms of material properties, usability, and toxicity. As a result, among the Cu-Al-Mn alloys examined for the purposes of this thesis, the alloy designated as CALM7 was found to have a higher density than other alloys and concrete types, and to yield better theoretical outcomes in radiation absorption. It is therefore considered that this alloy may be suitable for use as a radiation shielding material in nuclear structures. Moreover, its classification as a shape memory alloy may provide additional physical or chemical advantages in this context.