Gamma-ray attenuation in cement, bentonite, and mine waste

This study investigated the gamma-ray attenuation capabilities of pelletized cement, bentonite, and mine waste mud at three photon energies (59.54 keV, 661.66 keV, and 1115.54 keV). The shielding performance of each material was analyzed experimentally, theoretically, and through Monte Carlo simulations. The study focused on evaluating the linear attenuation coefficient, mass attenuation coefficient, half-value layer, tenth-value layer, and mean free path. Experimental results indicated that cement demonstrated superior shielding performance at low photon energies. Conversely, mine waste mud was more effective at medium and high energies, attributed to its higher density and metal content. At 59.54 keV, cement exhibited the highest linear attenuation coefficient (0.943 cm⁻¹), whereas at 1115.54 keV, mine waste showed a relatively higher linear attenuation coefficient (0.123 cm⁻¹). Bentonite consistently demonstrated the lowest linear attenuation coefficients. The experimental findings showed excellent agreement with theoretical and simulation results, with differences of less than 4.2%. This research highlighted the potential of utilizing industrial waste, such as mine mud, as a sustainable and efficient shielding material, particularly for applications involving medium- to high-energy gamma radiation. These findings also suggested that mine waste mud can serve as a radiation shielding material and a potential alternative construction material, supporting circular economy principles in the building sector.