Gamma ray interaction studies on light-weight, eco-friendly PVA-based composites using construction waste materials as fillers

Ashwitha, C. and Adarsh Raj, L. and Vaishnavi, N. and Mohan, S. B. and Krishnaveni, S. (2026) Gamma ray interaction studies on light-weight, eco-friendly PVA-based composites using construction waste materials as fillers. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 229. p. 112356. ISSN 1872-9800

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Abstract

The search for alternatives to toxic lead-based shielding materials is vital for sustainable radiation protection. This study investigates polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composites reinforced with recycled eco-friendly fillers: granite, glass, and redmud as substitutes for conventional gamma-ray shields. Shielding parameters, including Linear and Mass attenuation coefficients (μ, μ/ρ), Half value layer (HVL), Tenth value layer (TVL), Mean free path (λ), and Effective atomic number (Zeff), were measured for composites with 10–40 wt% filler concentrations using gamma energies from 511 to 1332 keV. Experimental results closely matched theoretical values determined from XCOM and AutoZeff softwares. The findings show that increasing filler concentrations lead to an increase in μ, μ/ρ, and Zeff, whereas decrease in HVL, TVL, and λ for all three PVA composites. The maximum value of μ/ρ i.e., 0.090, 0.089, and 0.082 cm2/g is observed at 511 keV, and Zeff i.e., 10.068, 8.527 and 7.988 at 1332 keV for 40 wt% filler concentration for PVA - Granite, PVA-Glass and PVA-Redmud, respectively. Furthermore, among the composites, PVA–granite exhibited the highest μ (0.28 cm 1), μ/ρ (0.09 cm2/g), and Zeff (10.07), along with the lowest HVL (2.50 cm), TVL (8.31 cm), and λ (3.61 cm) values at 40 wt% for a given energy. These results highlight that PVA–granite acts as a relatively better shielding composite and serves as a promising, lightweight, flexible, and eco-friendly alternative for radiation shielding in medical, nuclear, and aerospace applications.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Gamma ray shielding, PVA-Composites, HVL, TVL, μ, μ/�, Z
Subjects:	D Physical Science > Physics
Divisions:	Department of > Physics
Depositing User:	C Swapna Library Assistant
Date Deposited:	26 Dec 2025 10:25
Last Modified:	26 Dec 2025 10:25
URI:	http://eprints.uni-mysore.ac.in/id/eprint/18223

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