Preparation and properties of high temperature resistant neutron shielding poly(4-methyl-1-pentene)/boron carbide composite materials

To improve properties of the nuclear reactor secondary neutron shielding material, a novel high temperature resistant shielding material was prepared, in which poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) is blended with polyethylene and polypropylene as matrix materials and boron carbide as filler. Its neutron shielding properties were analyzed by Monte Carlo simulation and tested by Am–Be neutron source. Its thermodynamic properties were tested according to standard methods. Tests show that the new material’s heat distortion temperature is up to 168 ℃, which is much higher than that of polyethylene 45 ℃ and that of polypropylene 85 ℃. The thermal neutron shielding performance of the new material is better than that of polyethylene.