Hexagonal boron nitride and polydimethylsiloxane: A ceramic rubber composite material for neutron shielding

Highlights: • Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is has inherent neutron shielding property. • Polydimethylsiloxane is an elastomeric flexible material with superior properties. • The composite developed shown a good neutron absorption with a flexible nature. • The composite material could be used in many applications to shield neutrons. - Abstract: Flexible nature of the shielding material could be vital for the intervention of radiation accidents/incidents. On the other hand, ceramic rubber composites via incorporation of ceramic material to the polymeric matrix enhances different unique properties. Materials with boron content are effective in thermal neutron absorption, so the composite of silicone rubber and hexagonal boron nitride is a good candidate material for neutron shielding material. In this regard, hexagonal boron nitride with its unique properties could be used for neutron attenuation as the ceramic filler for the rubber matrix. In this study, silicone rubber(polydimethylsiloxane) incorporated with hexagonal boron nitride was vulcanized, and mechanical, thermal and neutron attenuation tests were performed. Attenuation rate (I/I₀) of 60.7% was achieved for the ceramic rubber composite containing 30 wt% hBN with a thickness of 6.9 mm. Silicone rubber with hexagonal boron nitride composite could be a suitable material for shielding purposes thanks to its flexibility and neutron absorption capability.