Preparation, shielding properties and mechanism of a novel neutron shielding material made from natural Szaibelyite resource. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dong, Mengge; Xue, Xiangxin; Li, Zhefu; Yang, He; Sayyed, M.I.; Elbashir, B.O.
• Is Part Of: Progress in nuclear energy. Volume 106(2018)
• Page Start: 140
• Page End: 145
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Szaibelyite -- Epoxy resin -- Neutron -- Shielding; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 333.7924
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2018.03.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-1970

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, different amounts of Szaibelyite (100, 300, 500, 700 and 900) were used to prepare Szaibelyite/epoxy resin composites for neutron shielding. Microstructures of fracture surfaces of the prepared composites were tested by scanning electron microscope while the neutron shielding properties were determined by Am-Be neutron source. It was found that the shielding percentage of all composites increases with the addition of Szaibelyite as well as the thickness of composites increment. M5 was found to be the best neutron shielding composite, the shielding percentage was nearly 100% when the thickness of M5 chosen to be 1.5 cm. Furthermore, the shielding mechanism of M5 for neutron shielding could be concluded as follows: Firstly, H, O, C, Fe and B-11 isotope contained in M5 slowed down the neutron to thermal neutron, which then absorbed by the B-10 isotope. According to the achieved results, the performance of the new neutron shielding material owns the value of practical application. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A novel neutron shielding composite is made by natural Szaibelyite resource. Shielding percentage increases with the adding amounts and thickness of shielding material. Shielding percentage of all samples is nearly 100% when the thickness is more than 2 cm. The shielding mechanism of shielding material is analyzed.