Evaluation of Low-Melting Pb–Sn Alloys as Shielding Materials for X-Ray and Gamma Radiation

Abstract

This study explores the preparation and characterization of low-melting binary alloys in the lead–tin (Pb–Sn) system as potential reduced-lead shielding materials for X-ray and gamma-ray applications. The alloys were fabricated using two preparation routes: the melt-spinning technique to produce thin ribbons suitable for X-ray measurements, and the conventional melting–casting method for samples used in gamma-ray attenuation measurements.

The investigation involved determining the melting temperatures and evaluating key radiation shielding parameters, including the linear attenuation coefficient ( ) and the half-value layer ( ), across different photon energy ranges. The performance of the prepared alloys was assessed based on multiple criteria, namely radiation attenuation efficiency, low melting temperature, and reduced lead content as an indicator of potentially lower toxicity.

The results reveal that both  and  strongly depend on photon energy and alloy composition. A gradual reduction in the attenuation coefficient was observed with decreasing lead content. Among the investigated compositions, the eutectic alloy ( ) exhibits a favorable balance between shielding effectiveness and thermal characteristics, with a melting temperature of approximately . Although its attenuation capability is slightly lower than that of pure lead, the difference can be compensated by modest increases in shielding thickness. These findings indicate that the eutectic Pb–Sn alloy represents a promising candidate for the development of reduced-lead radiation shielding materials under the conditions examined in this study.