Investıgatıon of radıatıon shıeldıng propertıes of pumıce

Radiation shielding properties of pumice have been investigated by measuring mass attenuation coefficients for different photon energies. The 241Am and 133Ba radioactive point source are used to get photons with energy 59,5, 80,9, 295,5 and 361,3 keV. For each sample and energy, Io and I intensities which are without and after attenuation were measured by a NaI(TI) detector coupled to MCA using narrow beam transmission arrangement and mass attenuation coefficients were determined using these intensities. To determine its ability for attenuation of photons (such as X-rays or ? -rays), the results obtained for pumice have been compared with the results for lead, cement and lead and cement aggregate containing different concentrations (0%, 25%, 50% and 75%) pumice. Also, the experimental values of the mass attenuation coefficients have been compared with theoretical values obtained from Monte Carlo simulation and WinXcom software. In most cases, there is an agreement between the experimental and theoretical values within the standard uncertainties.