Preparation and Neutron Shielding Performance of New Type Fiber Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites

The importance of neutron shielding materials has grown significantly with the development of nuclear technology and radioactive source device. A new type glass fiber/B₄C/epoxy resin composite was prepared by hot pressing process to meet the need of function/structure integration neutron shielding materials. The results of tensile tests and neutron shielding experiments of the composite show excellent neutron shielding performance, and the transmissivity of neutron after 5 cm sample is only 19.6%. The tensile strength and elastic modulus retain a high level which outclass the case in B₄C/polythene composites. With the increase of B₄C content in the composites, composite’s neutron shielding performance increases but mechanical property decreases. Considering the high neutron shielding performance and mechanical property of composite, there is large potential application in the outer protective materials of nuclear facilities such as reactor, accelerator, neutron source and especially, the spent fuel storage vessel’s structural frame.