Characterization of ABS + W and ABS + Bi 3D printing filaments attenuation for different photon beams

Abstract 3D printing techniques and materials have become widely available in the last couple of decades and remains a hot topic of study as new materials can lead to new applications. This study aims to evaluate the attenuation behaviour of GMASS over photon beams ranging from 29.7 up to 661.7keV, comparing with pure ABS and using theoretical data of pure lead as reference. It was used the transmission method to obtain experimental attenuation coefficients to all materials and theoretical data. HVL and TVL calculations were also performed. Results show that ABS+W has higher attenuation than ABS+Bi and pure ABS. Using the lead theoretical reference data it can be concluded that although ABS+Bi and ABS+W attenuates less than pure lead, the 3D printing filaments can be used to create shielding tolls depending on radiation energy and application.