Development of Glass for Radiation Shielding Using Material from Perlite in Lopburi Province

Abstract

This research developed glass material from Perlite. The glasses chemical formula is 20Na₂O:40B₂O₃:(40-X)Perlite:XBi₂O₃ where X are 0,5,10,15,20, and 25 W% by the melt quenching technique. Physical, optical, its radiation shielding abilities were studied by measuring density, refractive index, transmittance, mass attenuation coefficients, linear attenuation coefficients, and the half value layer (HVL). Densities and refractive indexes of glasses decreased as bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) concentration increased. Transmittance percentage from UV–Visible spectrophotometer showed the highest transmission at 15% concentration of Bi₂O₃. For radiation shielding properties, the linear attenuation coefficient and the mass attenuation coefficient calculated from WinXCom program showed increasing via added content Bi₂O₃. The HVL of 5 W% Bi₂O₃ doped glass is lower than that of concrete. The results of this research show that perlite glass has an ability for radiation shielding material.

Keywords:

• Perlite
• radiation shielding
• Bi₂O₃

Acknowledgments

This study would like to express gratitude to Pibulwitthayai School, Thepsatri Rajabhat University, and Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University for their assistance.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).