Publisher's Synopsis
In the past, measurements onboard a research Boeing 57F (RB57-F) aircraft have demonstrated that the neutron environment within the aircraft structure is greater than that in the local external environment. Recent studies onboard Boeing 737 commercial flights have demonstrated cabin variations in radiation exposure up to 30 percent. These prior results were the basis of the present study to quantify the potential effects of aircraft construction materials on the internal exposures of the crew and passengers. The present study constitutes preflight measurements using an unmoderated Cf-252 fission neutron source to quantify the effects of three current and potential aircraft materials (aluminum, titanium, and graphite-epoxy composite) on the fast neutron flux. Conclusions about the effectiveness of the three selected materials for radiation shielding must wait until testing in the atmosphere is complete; however, it is clear that for shielding low-energy neutrons, the composite material is an improved shielding material over aluminum or titanium.Singleterry, Robert C., Jr. and Shinn, Judy L. and Wilson, John W. and Maiden, Donald L. and Thibeault, Sheila A. and Badavi, Francis F. and Conroy, Thomas and Braby, LeslieLangley Research CenterRADIATION SHIELDING; AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES; AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS; IONIZING RADIATION; FLIGHT TESTS; NEUTRON SOURCES; GRAPHITE-EPOXY COMPOSITES; RADIATION DOSAGE; BOEING AIRCRAFT; IN SITU MEASUREMENT; COPPER; VANADIUM; PARTICLE PRODUCTION; ALUMINUM-LITHIUM ALLOYS; BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS...
