Nuclear fusion protection artifact: boron containing polyethylene sheet

Boron containing polyethylene radiation shielding plate is a neutron shielding core material specially developed for nuclear fusion scenarios. It relies on the synergistic mechanism of "hydrogen slowing down+boron absorption" to solve the protection needs of strong neutron radiation in nuclear fusion devices, and is currently the mainstream selection of fusion reactor shielding systems.

1、 Core protection principle

1. The substrate of the board is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, which is rich in a large number of hydrogen atoms inside. It can quickly decelerate high-energy fast neutrons produced by nuclear fusion into thermal neutrons through elastic collision, greatly reducing neutron penetration ability.

2. The uniformly doped boron-10 isotope in the plate has an absorption cross section of up to 3840 target neutrons, which can directly convert neutrons into low-energy particles without causing significant secondary gamma radiation, making it suitable for the high radiation environment of nuclear fusion.

2、 Key performance advantages

• Stable shielding efficiency: The uniformity of boron distribution can reach ± 0.5%, far superior to the industry average, avoiding neutron leakage blind spots caused by insufficient local boron content. The thermal neutron shielding rate can reach over 99%.

• Excellent radiation resistance: Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene substrate modified for radiation resistance is selected, which is not easily degraded in the fusion device irradiation environment for a long time, and the attenuation rate of shielding performance is much lower than that of ordinary civilian boron containing plates.

• Strong customization adaptability: Supports customization of boron content in the range of 1%~80%, with a thickness that can cover 10mm~400mm. Lead components can also be added as needed, while achieving dual shielding of neutrons and gamma rays, adapting to fusion areas with different radiation intensities.

• Convenient processing and installation: It can be directly cut and drilled through CNC equipment without special processes. On site splicing can achieve seamless bonding, avoiding neutron leakage from gaps. The overall weight is only 1/7 of traditional lead shielding, greatly reducing the load-bearing burden of the device.

3、 Mainstream application scenarios

This type of board is widely used in the core enclosure of nuclear fusion devices, neutron beam collimators, first wall shielding modules, and shielding layers for radioactive waste storage rooms. It can also be used as a supporting material for neutron source detector shielding boxes and protective structures around nuclear experiments. It has been widely applied in multiple nuclear fusion experimental projects in China.