Investigations of mechanical and radiation shielding properties of BaTiO${}_3$-modified cadmium alkali borate glass

Glass samples with contents Na${}_2$ B${}_4$O${}_7$-CdO-CuO altered with different concentrations of BaTiO${}_3$ have been manufactured by the traditional melt quenching method. X-ray diffraction investigations were achieved to affirm the amorphous structure of the samples, while the FTIR studies reveal the presence of the structural units [BO${}_3$], [BO${}_4$], and [TiO${}_4$] in the network of these samples. The studies considered the glass former role of TiO${}_2$, the conversion of [BO${}_3$] into [BO${}_4$] units, and the increment of the density of the glass samples as a function of BaTiO${}_3$. The investigations with the pulse-echo technique showed an increment of the ultrasound velocities, the Debye temperature, and the mechanical parameters. This increment was correlated to the former role of TiO${}_2$, the conversion of [BO${}_3$] into [BO${}_4$] units, the enhancement of the average cross-link density, the number of bonds per unit volume of the sample, and the increment of dissociation energy. Photon transmissions, linear attenuation coefficients, half-value layer, tenth value layer, and mean free path values of the prepared glasses have been obtained experimentally at selected photon energies. In addition, the values of the half-value layer of the explored glasses decrease as a function of BaTiO${}_3$. The measured results were compared with the FLUKA code. The FLUKA code results were in good agreement with the experimental results. Furthermore, the results present the additions of BaTiO${}_3$ to the glass network improve the shielding parameters.