Experimental investigation of neutron shielding effectiveness of polyethylene, borax-epoxy resin, and concrete slabs

Authors

  • Arianne P. Ignacio Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Manila
  • Herbert B. Domingo Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Manila
  • Vallerie Ann I. Samson Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
  • John Axl S. Lipardo Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute

Abstract

This study investigates the neutron shielding effectiveness of polyethylene, borax-epoxy resin, and concrete slabs using a californium-252 (252Cf) neutron source and a DINEUTRON dose meter. Shielding slabs with dimensions of 38.5 cm × 38.5 cm × 2.5 cm were fabricated, and dose rate measurements were recorded across varying slab thicknesses (2.5 cm, 5 cm, and 7.5 cm). Percent attenuation was calculated relative to an unshielded baseline. Linear regression analysis was used to model dose rate reduction per layer and evaluate consistency through the coefficient of determination (R2). Among the slabs, polyethylene demonstrated the highest attenuation due to its high hydrogen content, which makes it highly effective for moderating fast neutrons. Borax-epoxy resin, composed of 10% borax by weight, showed slightly lower attenuation. Its performance is attributed to the combined effects of resin-based moderation and boron content. Concrete exhibited the least attenuation, due to limited hydrogen content and the absence of neutron-absorbing elements. The results provide a comparative assessment of these slabs and highlight borax-epoxy resin as a viable, cost-effective alternative for neutron shielding.

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Published

2025-06-17

Issue

2025: Proceedings of the 43rd Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Conference

Section

Poster Session PB (Theoretical Physics, High Energy Physics, Astrophysics)

License

By submitting their manuscript to the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas (SPP) for consideration, the Authors warrant that their work is original, does not infringe on existing copyrights, and is not under active consideration for publication elsewhere.
Upon acceptance of their manuscript, the Authors further agree to grant SPP the non-exclusive, worldwide, and royalty-free rights to record, edit, copy, reproduce, publish, distribute, and use all or part of the manuscript for any purpose, in any media now existing or developed in the future, either individually or as part of a collection.
All other associated economic and moral rights as granted by the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines are maintained by the Authors.

How to Cite

[1]
“Experimental investigation of neutron shielding effectiveness of polyethylene, borax-epoxy resin, and concrete slabs”, Proc. SPP, vol. 43, no. 1, p. SPP-2025-PB-24, Jun. 2025, Accessed: Mar. 31, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2025-PB-24