Ethylene-propylene diene rubber/low density polyethylene/boron carbide composites as neutron shields

摘要

Composites of ethylene-propylene diene rubber and low density polyethylene were prepared with two different concentrations of boron carbide powder, namely, 47 and 57 wt%. The composites were investigated for their gamma and slow neutron radiation shielding properties. In addition, the temperature dependence of the electrical and thermal properties of the composites in the temperature range 30-150℃, has been studied. The initial 1.5 cm thickness of the composite sample containing 57 wt% boron carbide sharply reduced the initial direct slow neutron flux by about 85%. The total macroscopic cross-section of this sample is 0.215 cm~(-1).