Study of Neutron Absorption of Reactor Spectrum by Composites Based on UHMWPE
Kozhakhmetov Y.A. Skakov M.K. Tuyakbayev B.T. Sapatayev Y.Y. Gradoboev A.V.
September 2025Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Crystals
2025#15Issue 9
The development of radiation-protective materials with high resistance under reactor irradiation conditions is one of the urgent tasks in modern nuclear technologies. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is considered a promising matrix material due to its high hydrogen content, low density, and strong chemical resistance. Composite samples were fabricated by flame formation and irradiated in the IVG-1M research reactor of the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Their neutron absorption capacity, bending strength, and chemical resistance were measured before and after irradiation. The results show that H3BO3 provides the strongest contribution to the increase in the neutron absorption coefficient, with the maximum effect observed at 30% filler content. Reactor irradiation caused only a moderate reduction in the composites’ bending strength. Chemical resistance tests confirmed that UHMWPE-based composites with WC and PbO retain stability in aggressive environments, even after reactor exposure. Overall, UHMWPE-based composites containing boron and heavy-element fillers demonstrate strong potential as radiation-protective materials. Their design should account not only for neutron absorption efficiency but also for mechanical strength and chemical resistance under reactor operating conditions.
composite materials , radiation protection , reactor irradiation , UHMWPE
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Center of Excellence “VERITAS”, Daulet Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, Ust-Kamenogorsk, 070004, Kazakhstan
Department of Physics, Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University, Ust-Kamenogorsk, 070000, Kazakhstan
National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kurchatov, 071100, Kazakhstan
Department of Experimental Physics, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, 634050, Russian Federation
Center of Excellence “VERITAS”
Department of Physics
National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Department of Experimental Physics
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