Enhancing 6 MV X-ray shielding performance of concrete via tungsten carbide reinforcement: an experimental study

Abstract This study experimentally investigates the radiation shielding performance of concrete composites in which conventional sand was partially replaced with tungsten carbide (WC) at weight fractions ranging from 0 to 20%. After a curing period of 28 days, photon transmission measurements were conducted using 6 MV X-ray beams generated by a medical linear accelerator, representing high-energy radiation conditions commonly encountered in clinical radiotherapy environments. Based on the measured dose values, key shielding parameters including the linear attenuation coefficient (μ), half-value thickness, and mean free path (mfp X ) were determined. In addition, photon interaction characteristics were analyzed through exposure buildup factor and energy absorption buildup factor calculations using the EpiXS code, while the fast neutron shielding capability of the composites was evaluated via the macroscopic neutron removal cross section (Σ R ). The experimental results indicate that the incorporation of tungsten carbide significantly enhances the density and radiation attenuation capability of the concrete matrix. Increasing WC content led to improved photon shielding efficiency and reduced penetration depth of high-energy X-rays. This study provides a simultaneous assessment of both photon and neutron shielding in WC-reinforced concretes, highlighting the influence of WC content on energy-dependent buildup factors and demonstrating an optimized mix design strategy for enhanced radiation protection. These findings demonstrate that tungsten carbide-reinforced concretes can serve as promising high-performance materials for radiation shielding applications in medical, nuclear, and accelerator-based facilities, addressing limitations in previous studies that focused on single radiation types or conventional concrete mixes. Graphical abstract