NMC 2007, 26-27th Nov.

2007, Johor Bahru, Malaysia National Metallurgical Conference

Radiation Shielding Material Characterization by

Non-destructive Neutron Radiography Technique

Hafizal Yazid a, Sahrim Ahmad b, Azali Muhammad a, A. Aziz Mohamed a,

Rafhayudi Jamro a, Hishamuddin Husain a
a
Industrial Technology Division, Block 34, Malaysian Institute for Nuclear Technology
Research (MINT), Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Malaysia.
b
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), 43600 UKM Bangi, Malaysia.
E-mail: azali@mint.gov.my
Abstract— Shielding property of boronated rubber was vulcunized by using a vertical 2-piece heated press at
characterized easily by the use of neutron radiography 150ºC and pressure 5 Mpa for an optimum curing time
technique. For 10 phr of boron carbide in the natural of T95. The cure time was determined by a rheometer
rubber composite, the ability to completely shield against test. The cured sample was then subjected to neutron
neutron was found to have 8mm thickness and above for radiography testing.
the neutron flux of 1.04 x 105 n/cm2s. MINT TRIGA MARK II reactor is a
swimming pool-type light water research reactor using
1. Introduction enriched uranium-zirconium-hydride fuel and reflected
by graphite. There are three radial beam ports, one
Radiations are attenuated (weakened) by a combination tangential beam port and one thermal column as shown
of slowing, scattering, and absorption processes as they in Fig. 1. The maximum steady state operating power
pass through materials. The variation in attenuation of the reactor is 1000kWatts and at this operating power
through different parts of an object forms the basis for the thermal neutron fluxes are around 2.797x10 12
radiation imaging. The most widely used and commonly n/cm2/sec, i.e. at the edge of the reactor core.
known form of radiation imaging is the x-radiograph,
gamma-radiograph and neutron-radiograph. Neutrons,
discovered in 1932, are electrically neutral particles
similar in mass to a proton and present in the nuclei of
all elements except hydrogen. Neutron imaging is
commonly done today using neutrons that have an
average energy of about 0.025 electronvolts. These
neutrons are generated from fission reaction produced in
a nuclear reactor or from the decay of a radioisotope.
Most imaging applications using thermal neutrons
exploit their strong interaction with hydrogen. For
example, thermal neutrons can be used to inspect or
detect explosives inside brass shell casings, search for
Fig. 1: Top view of MINT TRIGA MARK II reactor
corrosion in the aluminum skin of aircraft and inspect
defects in component. Thermal neutrons also could be
Neutron radiography testing was conducted at BP4 or
used as a tool to characterize the effectiveness of
also known as Nur-II. The cut section or side view of
radiation shielding materials. This brings to our present
Nur-II is given in Fig. 2.
work that is to explore the effectiveness of boronated
rubber used as shielding materials.

2. Methodology
Radiation shielding material used in the testing was
developed by Mtec Group at MINT. The material is in
the form of flap with thickness of 2mm. The material
composed mainly of natural rubber and 10 phr of boron
carbide powder. Typical industrial mixing condition was
used in the development of the said natural rubber
composite. Natural rubber, boron carbide powder and
other additives were mixed in the internal mixer to form
uncured sample. Then the uncured sample was Fig.2: Side view of Nur-II facility.

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NMC 2007, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
At operating or 750kWatts the neutron flux at the outlet
of the NUR-2 collimator is about 1.04x107 n/cm2/sec.
The performance characteristic of NUR-2 is given in
Table 1.
Table 1: The performance characteristic of NUR-II
Power 750kWatts
L/D ratio Between 37– 200
Thermal neutron flux at 1.04x105 ncm-2sec-1
sample
Gamma dose rate at 367mSvh-1
outlet of collimator
The radiation shielding material is arranged to form a
step wedge with thickness from 2mm up to 10mm. The
arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 3.
Fig. 3: Radiographic arrangement
The sample was exposed to neutron beam for 15 minutes
at the NUR-II beam port. The sample was characterized
by analyzing the resulted radiography film. The film was
developed and subjected to density measurement.
3. Results and Discussion
The experiment conducted at TRIGA MK II nuclear
reactor, Malaysian Institute for Nuclear Technology
Research. Neutron flux is 1.04 x 10 5 n/cm2s at 750kW
[1]. Gadolinium converter was used for its continuity in
film density and image sharpness. The converter is
required as the film is sensitive to electron instead of
neutron. Radiographic arrangement as in figure 3 is
reported require shorter exposure time to reach desired
density and producing better image quality compared to
the film when it is being placed behind the converter
[2]. The ( ,e) reaction starts during the exposure time
on Gadolinium. The neutron activation reaction is as
follows:
155 156
Gd ( ,e) Gd (cross section reaction = 58000 barn)
The beta from the reaction is responsible in producing
radiography image on x-ray film (after film
development). Electron of lower energy level has small
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National Metallurgical Conference
penetration range on film to the extent of producing the
very sharp image. Therefore information on neutrons
that pass through the shielding material was indirectly
recorded in the film. The result of film density
measurement is illustrated in Table 2.
Table 2: Density measurement
Reactor Power: 750kW
Film type: KODAK SR45
Converter (Gd) thickness: 0.5μm
Exposure time: 15 minutes
Sample Density
Thickness (mm) Index
10 0.43
8 0.48
6 0.52
4 0.68
2 1.13
In our work, the lower the value of density index or the
brighter the image indicates less neutrons being
detected. Therefore the shielding material is effective in
absorbing the radiation or in this case neutron. From the
above result, 10 and 8mm shielding thickness
completely absorb neutron that gives the density index
of 0.43 and 0.48 respectively. Shielding thickness of
6mm still allows some neutron to pass through and
correspond to 0.52 density index. Shielding thickness of
4 and 2mm allows more neutron to pass through and
correspond to 0.68 and 1.13 density index respectively.
Thus shielding thickness of 4mm and below is not
effective to be used as shielding material in the current
neutron flux.
4. Conclusions
The shielding property of boronated rubber could be
characterized easily by the use of non-destructive
neutron radiography technique. For 10 phr of boron
carbide in the natural rubber composite, the ability to
completely shield against neutron was found to have
8mm thickness and above for the neutron flux of 1.04 x
105 n/cm2s. This result lead us to our next scope of work
that is to reduce the sample thickness by increasing the
boron carbide as boron is the key element to capture
neutron.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Mtec group and Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia for excellent support throughout
the research.
NMC 2007, 26-27th Nov. 2007, Johor Bahru, Malaysia National Metallurgical Conference

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