Calculation of the different shielding properties of locally developed ilmenite-magnetite (I-M) concrete

In this study the total atomic cross-section (σ_a), total electronic cross-section (σ_e), effective atomic number (Z_eff) and effective electron density (N_eff ) of locally developed ilmenite-magnetite (I-M) concrete were calculated analytically for different photon energies from 1 keV to 20 MeV and compared with concretes of different densities and compositions. The effect of Z_eff on the mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ, σ_a, σ_e) is shown graphically. The values of σa, σ_e, Z_eff and N_eff of I-M concrete were found to be higher than those of the ordinary concretes and in some cases than those of heavy concretes, which proved I-M concrete's shielding effectiveness. The results of this study will provide some useful information for a shielding material database for practical shielding calculation. (authors)