Study on the development and performance of heat-resistant radiation shielding composites

Background: In order to meet the requirements in performance of heat-resistant, thermal stability, radiation resistance etc of radiation shielding materials used in nuclear power plant and spent fuel storage. Purpose: AGA heat-resistant shielding composites were developed. Methods: The thermal stability of the matrix material was analyzed by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Dynamic Thermomechanical Analysis (DMA) was used to analyze the glass transition temperature of AGA composites. Irradiation resistance test was carried out under ⁶⁰Co sources and its shielding performance was tested with a ²⁵²Cf neutron source. The Results: From the TG curves, the initial decomposition temperature was 353.5℃. And after the constant temperature storage at 200℃ for 170 h, the weightloss of the matrix material was 1.22%. DMA showed that the glass transition temperature of the shielding composites moved to the higher temperature area and the peak type widens as the W content increases. The impact strength of the AGA heat-resistant shielding composite was optimal with a W content of 10.5 wt% and a B₄C content of 3 wt%. When 3 wt% B₄C was added, the fast neutron transmission of the AGA-4 heat-resistant shielding composite with 2 cm thick was 50.00%. Conclusions: AGA heat-resistant shielding composites has certain heat-resistant and irradiation resistance, and low density. (authors)