Dear All,
Is it possible to talk about radiation fatigue in shielding glass? I mean, what is the number of cycles that the shielding glass gets exposed until its effectiveness diminishes? Surely, the irradiation source, as well as the glass density, affect the usage cycle, however, I'd like to learn about the number of cycles in a shielding glass. I hope that I have been considering the correct way for understanding the concept.
Thanks in advance.
Dear Recep Kurtulus ,
the shielding/attenuation properties in the x-ray/ gamma ray regime only depend on the elemental composition and the total mass coverage.
The attenuation properties of the shielding are defined by the attenuation properties of the elements. The type of bonding of the atoms does not affect their x-ray attenuation characteristics when being in a compound*). So any change in the atomic bondings due to radiation damage does not affect the x-ray attenuation. Any change in density, which can be associated with the radiation damage, does not affect the total shielding as far as the mass coverage ( i.e. the total amount of atoms) is maintained. It is not known to me that x-rays are able to sputter material.
In consequence there is no 'radiation fatigue' of an x-ray shielding.
But x-rays are able to induce mechanical fatigue due to radiation damage (breaking of atomic bonds) up to cracks and brittleness in some materials when high radiation doses are applied.
*) In the optical and IR regime the situation is is quite different.
Ionizing irradiation can induce colorization or decolorization of the glass that affects light absorption (but not radiation shielding property) depending on the glass structures and ionizing radiation dose levels.
Dear Gerhard Martens,
Your detailed explanations were very helpful for understanding the concept. I thank you very much for your kind interest.
Hello Recep Kurtulus ,
The statement by Gerhard Martens is not contradicted and the statement by Nobuyuki Hamada is supported (with the caveat that CeO2 is added to stabilize the color of the radiation shielding and radiation-resistant optical glasses) in the following book.
[1] Heinz G. Pfaender, (revised and expanded by) Hubert Schroeder; Schott Guide to Glass; Van Nostrand Reinhold Company; 1983; p. 146.
Regards,
Tom Cuff
Dear Nobuyuki Hamada
I really appreciate your kind response. It aided to comprehend the main idea.
Dear Thomas Cuff
The attached file will be very helpful, so thank you very much for your kind sharing. I will definitely have a look at it.
Regards.
Hello Recep Kurtulus ,
One last reference for you. This reference indicates that synthetic fused silica (amorphous silicon dioxide) has "Much higher resistance to radiation darkening from UV, X-rays, gamma rays, and neutrons."
Anonymous; Optics Guide 3; Melles Griot; 1985; pp. 55.
Regards,
Tom Cuff
Dear Thomas Cuff
Thank you very much for your last reference. I will check it.
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