Frontier Technology Corporation has extensive experience in neutron radiation shielding, offering custom-built neutron shielding walls that provide reliable, much-needed protection from harmful radiation.
The Dangers of Neutron Radiation
Because neutron radiation presents so many inherent dangers, top-of-the-line neutron shielding protection is critical. Neutrons have neither a positive nor a negative charge, resulting in a wide range of energy and mass levels that must be blocked. Neutron radiation dangers, therefore, must be handled with the utmost care and attention to detail, whether dealing with nuclear power facilities, medical X-ray systems, radioisotope projects, or particle accelerator work. Hazardous rays can cause serious and long-lasting physical harm to the people exposed to them, and structural material and environments can also be damaged beyond repair by radioactive waves. Electronic devices and photographic film, in particular, are a couple of the more sensitive mediums that can be easily damaged.
Our Shielding Walls
For our shielding walls, we make use of materials composed of low-atomic-number elements, as they have a high probability of forming cross-sections that will interact with the neutrons. Denser materials, such as lead, are less effective in blocking radiation because the neutrons are uncharged and can easily pass through the dense material. Hydrogen and hydrogen-based materials are preferable for neutron shielding because compounds with a high concentration of hydrogen atoms — such as water — act as reliable barriers and provide inexpensive shielding. However, neutron radiation shielding is most reliable when it incorporates both high- and low-atomic-number elements, as low-density materials alone can emit gamma rays when blocking neutrons.
Water-extended polyester (WEP) resin is easily prepared, has a high water content, is resistant to fire, and has a mechanical strength between those of wood and concrete. Unsaturated polyester resins readily emulsify with water; WEP’s hydrogen content compares to that of water.
Frontier’s WEP material is highly effective for all custom shielding wall needs, and can be used across a range of industries. Our shielding helps protect personnel in harsh environments, such as those within the nuclear, health physics, defense, laboratory, and packaging industries. Along with the WEP inner material, our custom shielding walls include stainless steel outer materials and can be constructed to have up to 12 inches in neutron shielding thickness, up to 8 feet in height, and up to 6 feet in width. They also include isotope pass-through ports. We can also fill customer-designed and supplied neutron shielding walls with WEP inner material.
Our production volumes range from prototypes through production quantities with lead times typically around eight to fourteen weeks. Void volume and meter testing services are included. National Institute of Standards and Technology traceability, as well as our own quality assurance manual, help to guarantee wall quality. Additional services include documentation, integration, project management, reverse engineering, and technical support.
Our shielding walls meet a range of industry standards, including 10CFR50 Appendix B, IAEA Special Form Certification, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) regulations, NIST-traceable requirements, and ISO 2919.
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At Frontier, we pride ourselves on being the world’s foremost expert in neutron sources. Our full offering includes Cf-252 neutron sources, PINS, analyzers (PGNAA), scanners, Type A casks and shipping containers, and reactor startup rods. To discuss how our neutron radiation shielding walls can help protect against neutron radiation damage in your application, or to ask a general question, reach out to the team today.
Custom Shielding Walls Capabilities
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