In nuclear work and in medical technology applications it is essential to screen the facilities from people and the physical environment around. These jobs generate both particle and electromagnetic radiation. The resulting radiation fields can consist of a combination rapid neutrons, protons, electrons, thermal neutrons, and primary as well as secondary gamma radiation.
Fast neutrons are most effectively stopped by a high hydrogen content such as water, paraffin or polyethanes which contain high levels of hydrogen nuclei. Through repeated collisions with hydrogen nuclei, fast neutrons can be reduced to so-called slow neutrons.
AB Carlsson & Möller markets Borotron®, a material consisting of stable polyethylene modified with boron.
The material can to a great extent eliminate the neutrons through nuclear reaction between the substance boron and neutrons.
Borotron® is available in the grades PE-HMW (High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) and PE-UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene), which can handle working temperatures up to +80°C to +120°C.
For higher temperatures, Carlsson & Möller offers a polyethylene with 20% boron and 10% lithium. This material withstands continuous temperature exposure up to +200°C and short-term temperature exposure up to +300°C.
Materials can also be obtained with customer-specified boron additive. For further information, please contact Carlsson & Möller.
