Analysis of photon shielding properties and buildup factors of epoxy composites reinforced with titanium silicon carbide and bismuth oxide

Abstract

The research investigates how epoxy-based composites with titanium silicon carbide (Ti 3 SiC 2 ) and hybrid Ti 3 SiC 2 /Bi 2 O 3 systems shield against photons and how their buildup factors develop. The EpiXS code was used to calculate the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), half-value layer (HVL), effective atomic number (Z eff ), exposure buildup factor (EBF), and energy-absorption buildup factor (EABF) over the photon-energy range 15 keV–15 MeV. The addition of Ti 3 SiC 2 enhanced attenuation performance in the low and intermediate photon-energy regions, while hybridization with Bi 2 O 3 produced a significant improvement at high energies due to the higher Z-content. The hybrid composite with 40 wt% Bi 2 O 3 displayed the minimum HVL and maximum Z eff values over the studied range. The evaluation of both attenuation and buildup behavior shows that epoxy/Ti 3 SiC 2 /Bi 2 O 3 composites serve as effective options for lightweight radiation-shielding purposes in medical and industrial and nuclear applications.