Abstract The increasing reliance on X-rays and gamma radiation in healthcare has given rise to a demand for shielding materials that are lightweight, flexible, and free from toxicity. These materials are being developed as substitutes for conventional lead aprons, which are bulky, rigid, and hazardous. In this research, woven textiles produced from hybrid yarns containing Haynes 25/L625 alloy wires and recycled cotton/polyester blends were investigated as a candidate solution, focusing on both radiation attenuation and user comfort. Three weave structures-plain, 3/1 twill, and 5-harness satin-were manufactured by interlacing alloy wires with cotton/polyester yarns. The gamma-ray shielding capability of the materials was examined across a range of 15 photon energies, from 32 to 1408 keV, utilizing a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector. The evaluation encompassed various parameters, including transmission, absorption, linear and mass attenuation coefficients, half-value layer, and shielding effectiveness. A comprehensive characterization of the material’s comfort-related properties was conducted, encompassing parameters such as air permeability, which was measured in accordance with the ISO 9237 standard, porosity, and thermal behavior. The satin weave, which incorporates the highest proportion of alloy, exhibited enhanced attenuation, particularly at lower photon energies, with a mass attenuation coefficient of 6.649 cm 2 /g at 32 keV. The twill fabric demonstrated improved performance at intermediate and higher energies, exhibiting a linear attenuation coefficient of 0.291 cm −1 at 356 keV. In comparison, the plain weave provided the least effective protection. In terms of comfort, the satin and twill structures exhibited higher breathability and porosity, with values of 22% and 19%, respectively, attributable to their more open geometries. In contrast, the plain weave demonstrated reduced air permeability, with 12% porosity, but enhanced thermal dissipation efficiency. The satin weave is optimal for achieving maximum attenuation, while the twill weave provides a balanced compromise with high performance.
Değirmenci et al. (Sun,) studied this question.