Gamma radiation shielding properties of some Bi-Sn-Zn alloys.

We investigate the gamma radiation shielding properties of some Bi-Sn-Zn alloys. For this study, we synthesised five bismuth-based lead-free alloy samples using the melt quench technique with the composition Bi50Sn[Formula: see text]Zn[Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] Apart from physical parameters such as the weight, density, and thickness of the alloy samples, we estimated their optimum thickness range at photon energies of 122, 511, 662, and 1250 keV. The mass attenuation coefficients and effective atomic number, measured experimentally, were found to be in close agreement with values computed using WinXCom software, within a ± 4% error. From the transmitted photon spectra, the radiation protection efficiency (RPE) was determined and analysed for different alloy compositions. A correlation between RPE and effective atomic number was established at different photon energies. The Bi50Sn50 binary alloy composition is reported to exhibit maximum shielding efficiency.