:: Volume 14, Issue 4 (10-2016) ::
Int J Radiat Res 2016, 14(4): 379-383 Back to browse issues page
Design and fabrication of high density borated polyethylene nanocomposites as a neutron shield
S.M.J. Mortazavi , M. Kardan , S. Sina , H. Baharvand , N. Sharafi
Department of Radiology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , nasrinsharafi@ymail.com
Abstract:   (8435 Views)

Background: Polyethylene composites including boron can be used as an effective neutron shield. Our investigation focuses on manufacturing borated polyethylene nano-composite. The purpose of this study is to design a radiation shield for use in both neutron and gamma fields. Materials and Methods: Borated polyethylene shields containing 2%, and 5% weight percentage of Boron nano-particles were constructed and their neutron attenuation was compared with pure polyethylene. Polycarbonate films were used to find the attenuation of Am-Be neutrons after passing the shields. Mechanical properties of the shields were finally compared. Results: Mean  (± SD) number of α tracks induced by neutrons passing through the shields, were found to be 1.0488×103±128.98,  1.1972×103±289.56and 1.5340×103±206.52 for polyethylene with 5% by weight, polyethylene with 2% by weight boron nano-particles, and pure polyethylene, respectively. The neutron spectrum after each shield was also obtained by MCNP4C Monte Carlo simulations. On the other hand, borated polyethylene nano-composites showed higher tensile strength compared to that of pure polyethylene. Attenuation of neutrons measured in experiments and the result of MCNP simulation were in good agreement. Conclusion: A statistically significant difference was found between neutron attenuation by borated polyethylene nanocomposite made of 5% by weight boron and pure polyethylene. However, the difference between borated polyethylene nano-composite with 5% weight and 2% wt boron was not statistically significant.

Keywords: Nano-composites, neutron shield, borated polyethylene, MCNP.
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Type of Study: Short Report | Subject: Radiation Biology



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Volume 14, Issue 4 (10-2016) Back to browse issues page