Determination of gamma radiation shielding efficiency by radiation-resistant composite ZrO2–Al2O3 – TiO2–WO3 – Nb2O5 ceramics

This work examines the prospects of using composite ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ – TiO₂–WO₃ – Nb₂O₅ ceramics as shielding and radiation-resistant materials as structural materials in conditions of heightened radiation background, including gamma radiation and exposure to heavy ions. The key objective of the study is to determine the impact of the variation in composite ceramic composition on resistance to radiation damage caused by exposure to heavy ions comparable to nuclear fuel fission fragments, and to establish the effect of the radiation damage accumulation on the shielding characteristics of these ceramics, the maintenance of which determines the stability of the operation of nuclear materials by eliminating the ionization factor caused by the interaction of gamma quanta. During the studies, it was found that alterations in the phase composition of composite ceramics associated with the formation of ZrTiO₄, AlWO₃ and Nb₂W₃O₁₄ phases in the structure lead not only to strengthening of the ceramics, but also to a rise in resistance to radiation damage, and associated changes in the damaged layer degradation, having an adverse impact on the shielding characteristics.