In radiation-exposed environments such as nuclear power plants, hospital radiotherapy rooms, and research laboratories, an "invisible guardian" silently protects people's safety: boron-containing polyethylene sheets. This seemingly ordinary material is actually an "expert" in dealing with neutron radiation, lighter and more practical than traditional protective materials.

Simply put, boron-containing polyethylene sheets are composite materials made by uniformly adding boron to common polyethylene. Its protective principle is easy to understand, like a two-step process: first, hydrogen atoms in the polyethylene slow down high-energy neutrons moving at high speeds, rendering them harmless; then, boron precisely "captures" these slowed neutrons, converting them into harmless particles through nuclear reactions, achieving a protection efficiency of over 95%.

Compared to traditional lead sheets and concrete protective materials, its advantages are particularly prominent. It is lightweight, with a density only one-tenth that of lead, making it easy to transport and install without relying on heavy equipment; moreover, it is non-toxic and environmentally friendly, without the heavy metal pollution of lead, making it friendly to both humans and the environment. Meanwhile, it is also wear-resistant, impact-resistant, and corrosion-resistant, enabling long-term use in harsh environments. It can also be flexibly cut and drilled to be customized into various shapes to suit different scenarios.

Today, boron-containing polyethylene (BPE) sheets are widely used, appearing in nuclear power plant shielding walls and neutron generator protective devices in research institutions. It solves the pain points of traditional protective materials—being heavy, toxic, and difficult to install—with a simple material combination.

This article was edited and compiled by Henan Jinhang Engineering Plastics Co., Ltd. (www.upeplastic.cn), with Jinhang as the editor. The company focuses on the research and development and production of boron-containing BPE sheets. Reproduction is welcome, please indicate the source.