Attenuation coefficients for some industrial materials in the energy range 356 keV to 1173 keV

Gamma-ray attenuation coefficients were determined for several types of industrial material with densities of 0.62 g/cm³ to 1.70 g/cm³. The experimental set-up used a 2" x 2" Nal(TI) scintillation detector and a collimated radiation source of Ba-133 (356 keV), Cs-137 (662 keV) and Co-60 (1173 keV). An optimised experimental set-up was implemented to minimise errors. The linear attenuation coefficients show a linear relationship with the corresponding densities of samples studied. Relationship between mass attenuation coefficient and gamma-ray energy is exponential. The measurements results are reported for n-pentane, ethanol, toluene, polyethylene and cement respectively. At 356 keV, the mass attenuation coefficient values are found to be (0.109 ± 0.015) cm²/g, (0.134 ± 0.018) cm²/g, (0.124 ± 0.014) cm²/g, (0.087 ± 0.011) cm²/g and (0.152 ± 0.003) cm²/g. At 662 keV, the values are (0.092 ± 0.044) cm²/g, (0.081 ± 0.010) cm²/g, (0.084 ± 0.011) cm²/g, (0.064 ± 0.009) cm²/g, (0.103 ± 0.002) cm²/g. At 1173 keV, the values are (0.080 ± 0.047) cm²/g, (0.057 ± 0.010) cm²/g, (0.027 ± 0.005) cm²/g, (0.031 ± 0.004) cm²/g and (0.048 ± 0.001) cm²/g