Dual-function polyurethane-based CdO- B4C radiation shields: experimental and monte carlo validation

Polyurethane-based composites are gaining attention as effective materials for radiation shielding due to their flexibility, low weight, and inherent resistance to temperature, sound, and mechanical impact. When reinforced with suitable fillers, polyurethane can be tailored to shield against different types of ionizing radiation. In this study, polyurethane was enhanced with equal weight fractions of cadmium oxide (CdO) and boron carbide (B₄C) to create a multifunctional radiation shield. Composite samples were fabricated with varying total filler concentrations and evaluated for their shielding performance. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a lightweight, dual-purpose shielding material based on polyurethane reinforced with CdO and B₄C, achieving up to 90% improvement in gamma attenuation and demonstrating effective neutron shielding through simulation. Experimental gamma attenuation measurements were conducted using a Cs-137 source in a custom-designed setup. The results were further validated through Monte Carlo simulations using both MCNP6 and Geant4, showing a strong correlation with experimental data. In addition to gamma testing, a neutron shielding setup was simulated using the MCNP6 code to assess the composite's effectiveness against neutron radiation. The simulation results demonstrated promising neutron attenuation, confirming the potential of the CdO/B₄C-PU composite as a dual-purpose shielding material for both gamma and neutron protection in various applications.