Characterization of the radiation shielding properties of fired lead sample for X-ray shielding applications

The characterization of the radiation shielding properties of a fired lead ore deposit (LOD) found in Enyigba, Ebonyi state have been investigated experimentally and by XCOM calculation. The electric kiln furnace purification technique and the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) were used in establishing the lead content in the ore, while the X - ray transmission measurement at peak voltages of 100 kVp and 120 kVp with a 500 cc PTW ionization chamber was used in determining the mass attenuation coefficient (mu m). The linear attenuation coefficient (mu), half value layer (HVL), tenth value layer (TVL) and mean free path (MFP) were calculated from the obtained mu m values. Results of the parameters were compared with calculated XCOM mu m values and with other studied shielding materials. It was found that the deposit reduced effectively, the X-ray photons with increase in lead slab thickness which supported its obtained radiation shielding properties which also agreed with the calculated XCOM mu m values. The natural abundance and established lead ore concentration in the LOD gave credence to its efficacy to be used as x-ray shield with the 5 mm lead slab having the optimum shield irrespective of the firing process introduced.