Development of new generation epoxy based neutron shields for current nuclear applications

Today, with the development of technology, radiation exposure level is increasing day by day. Along with this increase, research and development studies on shielding methods have been also accelerated. Epoxy is a quite rather popular material as a nuclear shield. Due to abundance, cheapness, ligtness and durability, epoxy is an excellent option for shielding technology. Therefore designing concept of epoxy based composite materials as radiation shields were studied in this study. Samples by simulating of at a increasing rate of ten percent of iron (Fe), tantalium (Ta), thorium (Th), tungsten carbide (WC) ve bismuth (Bi) powder mixed with epoxy, were irradiated by 4,5 MeV energetic neutron irradiation and cross section were calculated and evaluated in terms of shielding. In addition, other product nuclei and particles and their energy ranges that occur as a result of the reaction have been estimated. Calculations were made by GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulation code. As a result of calculations, the composite containing 40% epoxy and 60% tantalium has obtained as the best neutron-shield.