Borated UPE sheet

Borated UPE Sheet | High Performance Neutron Shielding Borated UHMWPE Sheet

Product Introduction

Borated UPE sheet (borated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene sheet, also called BPE sheet or boron polyethylene sheet) is a specialized composite material engineered for effective neutron radiation shielding. It is formulated by dispersing high-purity boron-based additives—typically boron carbide (B₄C)—evenly throughout a virgin UHMWPE matrix using advanced compression or extrusion molding technology.

This material leverages two core physical principles for radiation protection:

• UHMWPE (hydrogen-rich polymer): Slows down (moderates) high-energy fast neutrons through proton collisions.

• Boron (especially B-10 isotope): Absorbs slowed thermal neutrons with an extremely high cross-section, preventing penetration and minimizing secondary gamma radiation.

Compared to traditional shielding materials (lead, concrete, steel), borated UPE offers an unrivaled combination of light weight, excellent processability, chemical stability and high neutron shielding efficiency, making it the modern material of choice for critical radiation safety applications.

Key Features & Advantages

✅ Superior Neutron Shielding Performance

• Dual-function: moderates fast neutrons + absorbs thermal neutrons

• Boron content options: 2%–30% by weight (standard: 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%)

• Up to 5× more effective than pure UHMWPE for thermal neutron shielding

• Low secondary gamma-ray emission (≈0.42 MeV) upon neutron capture

✅ Lightweight & High Strength

• Density: 0.93–1.5 g/cm³ (vs. lead ≈11.3 g/cm³, steel ≈7.8 g/cm³)

• 80–90% lighter than lead, dramatically reducing structural load, transport & installation costs

• Retains UHMWPE’s exceptional impact strength, toughness and durability

✅ Excellent Chemical & Environmental Resistance

• Corrosion-proof: Resistant to acids, alkalis, salts, oils, solvents and moisture

• No rust, rot or degradation in harsh nuclear/industrial environments

• Waterproof (water absorption <0.01%) and stable under temperature: -269°C to +80°C

• Non-toxic, odorless, RoHS & REACH compliant

✅ Outstanding Machinability & Fabrication

• Easily cut, drilled, milled, turned and fabricated with standard woodworking/metalworking tools

• Smooth, non-porous surface for easy decontamination

• Supports CNC precision machining to custom shapes, slots, holes and assemblies

• Can be bonded, laminated or mechanically fastened

✅ Customizable Specifications

• Boron content: 2%–30% (tailored to shielding requirements)

• Standard sizes: 1000×2000mm, 1220×2440mm, 2000×4000mm (custom up to 6000×3000mm)

• Thickness: 6mm–200mm (custom thickness available)

• Colors: Standard black, natural gray; custom colors optional

• Special grades: Flame-retardant, lead-loaded (dual neutron + gamma shielding), anti-static

✅ Long Service Life & Cost-Effective

• High wear resistance and dimensional stability

• Service life: 15–20+ years in radiation environments

• Lower total cost of ownership vs. lead/concrete (lighter structure, easier installation, less maintenance)

Technical Specifications

Note: Custom boron content, sizes and performance grades available upon request.

Typical Applications

1. Nuclear Power & Nuclear Industry

• Nuclear power plant reactor shielding, containment liners

• Spent fuel storage pools, transport casks & dry storage containers

• Radiation shielding walls, doors, biological shields

• Hot cell & radioactive material handling facility linings

• Nuclear submarine & naval vessel radiation protection

2. Medical & Healthcare

• PET-CT, cyclotron & nuclear medicine facilities

• Linear accelerator (LINAC) bunkers & treatment rooms

• Radiopharmacy labs & isotope handling areas

• Cancer treatment center neutron shielding

• Hospital radiation doors & partition walls

3. Scientific Research & Laboratory

• Research reactor shielding & neutron source protection

• Particle accelerator & nuclear physics labs

• Radioisotope testing & measurement facilities

• Nuclear safety experiment equipment

4. Industrial & Defense

• Industrial radiography & non-destructive testing (NDT)

• Oil well logging & nuclear density gauge shielding

• Military & aerospace radiation-sensitive equipment protection

• Nuclear waste processing & disposal facilities

• Radiation detection instrument housing

Why Choose Our Borated UPE Sheets?

1. Premium Virgin Raw Materials

We use 100% virgin UHMWPE resin (3–9 million molecular weight) and nuclear-grade boron carbide (B₄C, 99% purity) with high boron-10 isotope content, ensuring maximum shielding efficiency and material stability—no recycled fillers or low-grade additives.

2. Uniform Boron Dispersion

Advanced mixing and compression molding ensure 100% uniform boron distribution across the entire sheet, eliminating shielding weak points and guaranteeing consistent performance.

3. Strict Quality & Radiation Testing

Every batch undergoes:

• Dimensional accuracy inspection

• Mechanical property testing

• Neutron shielding performance verification (third-party certified)

• Boron content analysis

• Density and homogeneity checks

4. Full Customization Capability

• Custom boron content

• Custom sheet sizes 

• Custom thickness

• CNC machining & finished parts service

• Special grades (flame-retardant, lead-loaded, anti-static)

5. Factory Direct Supply

• Competitive manufacturer pricing (no middlemen)

• Large inventory for standard 5%/10% grades

• Flexible MOQ (small prototype orders to bulk production)

• Fast global shipping (sea/air/express)

• Full technical support (shielding calculation, material selection, installation)

FAQ

Q1: What boron content should I choose?

A:5% boron: Standard medical/industrial shielding (PET-CT, labs, general nuclear)

• 10%–15% boron: Enhanced shielding (research reactors, hot cells)

• 20%–30% boron: High-intensity neutron fields (spent fuel, reactor cores)Our engineers can provide shielding thickness calculations based on your radiation source and dose limits.

Q2: Can you provide custom-machined parts?

A: Yes. We offer full CNC machining services to produce finished shielding components: cut-to-size panels, slots, holes, notches, complex shapes and assembled shielding enclosures.

Q3: Is borated UPE safe to handle?

A: Yes. Our borated UPE is non-toxic, dust-free during machining, and safe for personnel. Unlike lead, it produces no toxic fumes or dust and requires no special hazardous material handling.

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