The Advancement of Neutron-Shielding Materials for the Transportation and Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel

Abstract

In this paper, the mechanism of neutron absorption and common reinforced particles is introduced, and recent research progress on different types of neutron-shielding materials (borated stainless steels, B/Al Alloy, B4C/Al composites, polymer-based composites, and shielding concrete) for transportation and wet or dry storage of spent fuel is elaborated, and critical performance is summarized and compared. In particular, the most widely studied and used borated stainless steel and B4C/Al composite neutron-absorption materials in the field of spent fuel are discussed at length. The problems and solutions in the preparation and application of different types of neutron-shielding materials for spent fuel transportation and storage are discussed, and their research priorities and development trends are proposed.

Keywords

• spent nuclear fuel
• transportation and storage
• shielding materials
• neutron absorption