Steels are non-combustible and have good temperature behaviour,with a melting point higher than 1,500°C, giving them a majoradvantage over lead.The most common grades are S235 (E24), S275 (E28) and S355(E36).
Non-alloyed carbon steels have poor resistance to chemical agentsand must be protected by a coating, which will also improve theirdecontaminability.
Steels are common materials
Commonly used for welding and machining, steels are ideal formaking shielding screens such as stationary or moving mechanicalparts, structural elements, racks and walls.
Steel: radiation protection properties
They have excellent resistance to gamma radiation.
However,under neutron flux, steels produce capture gamma rays, withenergies between 1 and 10 MeV, and activate at highly variablelevels depending on the level of impurities (presence of Mn, CO,Ti, etc.).
Under very high neutron flux, the transition temperature(brittle fracture / ductile fracture) also increases.
