Research from North Carolina State University shows that lightweight composite metal foams are effective at blocking X-rays, gamma rays and neutron radiation, and are capable of absorbing the energy of high impact collisions. The finding means the metal foams hold promise for use in nuclear safety, space exploration and medical technology applications.
“This work means there’s an opportunity to use composite metal foam to develop safer systems for transporting nuclear waste, more efficient designs for spacecraft and nuclear structures, and new shielding for use in CT scanners,” says Afsaneh Rabiei, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at NC State and corresponding author of a paper on the work.
Rabiei first developed the strong, lightweight metal foam for use in transportation and military applications. But she wanted to determine whether the foam could be used for nuclear or space exploration applications – could it provide structural support, protect against high impacts and provide shielding against various forms of radiation?
To that end, she and her colleagues conducted multiple tests to see how effective it was at blocking X-rays, gamma rays and neutron radiation. She then compared the material’s performance to the performance of bulk materials that are currently used in shielding applications. The comparison was made using samples of the same “areal” density – meaning that each sample had the same weight, but varied in volume.
The most effective composite metal foam against all three forms of radiation is called “high-Z steel-steel” and was made up largely of stainless steel, but incorporated a small amount of tungsten. However, the structure of the high-Z foam was modified so that the composite foam that included tungsten was not denser than metal foam made entirely of stainless steel.
The researchers tested shielding performance against several kinds of gamma ray radiation. Different source materials produce gamma rays with different energies. For example, cesium and cobalt emit higher-energy gamma rays, while barium and americium emit lower-energy gamma rays.
The researchers found that the high-Z foam was comparable to bulk materials at blocking high-energy gamma rays, but was much better than bulk materials – even bulk steel – at blocking low-energy gamma rays.
Similarly, the high-Z foam outperformed other materials at blocking neutron radiation.
The high-Z foam performed better than most materials at blocking X-rays, but was not quite as effective as lead.
“However, we are working to modify the composition of the metal foam to be even more effective than lead at blocking X-rays – and our early results are promising,” Rabiei says. “And our foams have the advantage of being non-toxic, which means that they are easier to manufacture and recycle. In addition, the extraordinary mechanical and thermal properties of composite metal foams, and their energy absorption capabilities, make the material a good candidate for various nuclear structural applications.”
Read more: Study Finds Metal Foams Capable of Shielding X-rays, Gamma Rays, Neutron Radiation
The Latest on: Metal foams
[google_news title=”” keyword=”metal foams” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Metal foams
- Revolutionizing Roofs Exploring Pennsylvania’s Innovative Roofing Trends and Techniqueson April 25, 2024 at 7:38 pm
One of the most unique trends in Pennsylvania roofing is the use of green roofs. Green roofs involve covering a roof with vegetation, creating a living, eco-friendly surface. This concept has gained ...
- 8 Ways to Properly Dispose of Your Mattresson April 22, 2024 at 8:00 am
From recycling programs to repurposing, there are eco-friendly ways to get rid of your old mattress and keep it from being dumped in the landfill.
- How to Choose a Mattresson April 12, 2024 at 8:26 am
we’ve chosen four memory-foam, latex, and fiber-filled mattress toppers that we think will work for most sleepers. As the name suggests, an innerspring mattress uses a system of connected metal ...
- Top 5 Best Foam Cannons 2024on March 21, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The plastic material may not be as durable as other foam cannons made with metal or stainless steel. The foam cannon may not work as well with lower pressure washers. Overall, we think the Tool ...
- Foam versus rubber flooringon February 13, 2024 at 10:10 am
Foam flooring is certainly cheaper than rubber flooring but foam tiles can’t really compete when it comes to performance and durability. Foam tiles work well for low impact exercise and ...
- Dr Yuan Tianon September 24, 2023 at 5:42 am
His research interest includes thermal energy storage, energy-efficient buildings, waste heat recovery, smart grid energy storage, battery thermal management, thermoelectric generators, computational ...
- Australia’s Best Foam Mattress In 2023on September 13, 2023 at 7:12 am
or any combination of foams. Spring mattresses also known as hybrid mattresses, use metal springs for support, combined with plush material layers for comfort. The key difference is the springs ...
- 5 Best Hybrid Mattresses of 2024: Expert Tested and Reviewedon June 7, 2023 at 3:34 pm
Nectar foams are CertiPUR-US certified ... For instance, simple metal frames without proper slats might need the extra support, whereas those with adequate foundations can go without.
- Foams and Foam Materials Specificationson February 11, 2018 at 7:19 am
Metal Foam Materials consist of a metal or metal alloy. Ceramic Foam Materials consist of a ceramic material. Elastomer / Rubber Elastomers and rubber materials are characterized by their high degree ...
via Bing News