Measurement of mass attenuation coefficients of Eremurus–Rhizophora spp. particleboards for X-ray in the 16.63–25.30 keV energy range

• Rhizophora spp. particleboard bonded with Eremurus spp. root as a new phantom.
• Mass attenuation coefficient of particleboard was measured in 16.63–25.30 keV range.
• Mass attenuation coefficient particleboard was affected by particle size and %glue.
• Mass attenuation coefficient of particleboard was close to water and young breast.
• Viscosity of Eremurus was significantly higher than those of synthetic adhesives.

The roots of Eremurus spp. were used as a bio-adhesive in the fabrication of Rhizophora spp. particleboards. The mass attenuation coefficients of Eremurus–Rhizophora spp. particleboard of six samples with two different weight percentages of the Eremurus spp. root (6% and 12%) and three various Rhizophora spp. particle sizes (≤149 µm, 149–500 µm and 500–1000 µm) were determined by using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) photons in 16.63 keV and 25.30 keV of the photon energy range. The results were compared with theoretically calculated mass attenuations using the XCOM computer program for younger-age (breast 1: 75% muscle+25% fat), middle-age (breast 2: 50% muscle+50% fat), and old-age (breast 3: 25% muscle+75% fat) breasts. The results indicated that Eremurus–Rhizophora spp. particleboard is the appropriate suitable phantom in the diagnostic energy region. The mass attenuation coefficient in the low weight percentage of the bio-adhesive and the large Rhizophora spp. particle size were found very close to breast 1. Moreover the mass attenuation coefficient of the sample with high weight percentage of the bio-adhesive and small Rhizophora spp. particle size was found very close to water as a standard material phantom. In addition, the viscosity of dissolved Eremurus spp. root in water could be considerably higher than that of formaldehyde-based adhesives, which affects on some properties such as high strength and high binding.