Shielding effect of tungsten mesh on gamma ray and X-rays irradiations

Abstract

The radiation shielding effects on the gamma ray with the effective energy Ee = 661.7 keV and X-rays with that of Ee = 74 keV and 38 keV were examined by using the tungsten-mesh (W-Mesh) made of the tungsten wires of 18μm and 50μm, as candidate for radiation shielding materials having breathability and flexibility. The results showed that the radiation shield rate “η” of W-Mesh sample material represented by mass “Ma” per unit area was almost the same value as in that of the tungsten plate and the lead plate, excepted for the irradiation of gamma-ray at the range under Ma = 1 kg/m². The value of η at the region of less than Ma = 0.3 kg/m² also transited to the negative range on the gamma ray irradiation. Therefore, we found that use of W-mesh in the region of Ma = 0.3 kg/m² or below should be avoided.