A radiation shielding resin with thermal stability and high radiation shielding effect has been developed for the neutron shielding resin filled in the shielding shell of dry storage/transport cask for spent nuclear fuel. Among the most commercially available neutron shielding resins, epoxy and aluminum hydroxide boron carbide are used. But in case of the resin, hydrogen content enhances the neutron shielding effect through optimization of aluminum hydroxide, zinc borate, boron carbide, and flame retardant. We developed a radiation shielding material that can increase the boron content and have thermal stability. Flame retardancy was evaluated for thermal stability, and neutron shielding evaluation was conducted in a research reactor to prove the shielding effect. As a result of the UL94 vertical burning test, a grade of V-0 was received. Therefore, it was confirmed that it had flame retardancy. According to an experiment to measure the shielding rate of the resin against neutron rays using NRF (Neutron Radiography Facility), a shielding rate of 91.54% was confirmed for the existing resin composition and a shielding rate of 96.30% for the developed resin composition. A 40 M SANS (40 M Small Angle Neutron Scattering Instrument) neutron shielding rate test was performed. Assuming aging conditions (6 hours, 180 degrees), the shielding rate was analyzed after heating. As a result of the experiment, the developed products with 99.8740% and 99.9644% showed the same or higher performance.

방사선물질의 수송 및 저장용기 등에 사용되는 에폭시수지계 중섣자 차폐재, KNS-201, KNS-301 및 KNS-601을 제조하였다. 기본물질은 개질 및 수소 첨가된 비스페놀 A형 그리고 노블락형 에폭시수지이며, 첨가제로는 수산화알루미늄 및 탄화붕소이다. 이들 중성자 차폐재들의 열적 및 역학적 성질 및 재방사선성 등을 평가하기 위해 여러 특성시험을 행하였다. 조사된 제반 특성들은 열분해온도;257~280˚C, 열전도도;0.95~1.14W/m.K, 열팽창계수 ;0.77~1.26x10-6˚C-1, 연소특성;800˚C이하, 평균연소시간;5초 이하, 평균연소길이 ;5mm 이하, 인장강도;2.5~3.2Kg/mm2,압축강도:13.2~15.2kg/mm2 굴곡강도:5.2~604Kg/mm2 등을 나타냈다. 전반적으로 개발된 중성자 차폐재들의 관련 특성들이 외국에서 사용되는 중성자 차폐재, NS-4-RF보다 우수한 것으로 나타났다. 또한 KNS-601의 내방사선성이 KNS-201과 KNS-301보다 우수한 것으로 나타났다. 또한 KNS-601의 내방사선이 KNS-201과 KNS-301보다 우수한 것으로 나타났다.

This research is to investigate the effect of borosilicate glass powder on neutron shielding capability of cement mortar. The average particle size of the borosilicate glass powder was 13 μm. It was found that the addition of borosilicate glass powder increased 28 day compressive strength. In addition, neutron shielding capability of cement mortar also increased by the addition of borosilicate glass powder. Considering our earlier findings on enhanced thermal neutron shielding of cement mortar by borosilicate glass powder, the use of borosilicate glass powder was found to be effective to shield neutron when the cement mortar was exposed to the neutron radiation. It can be concluded that borosilicate glass powder is a good alternative material for neutron shielding purposes.