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<p>The development of neutron shielding materials with enhanced mechanical durability and cost-effective processing remains a challenge in the nuclear and aerospace industries. This study presents a facile ball milling technique to fabricate polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites containing boron carbide (B<sub>4</sub>C) at varying loadings (1–10 wt%). Composite shields were prepared by moulding and hot-pressing procedures. The thermal stability, mechanical properties, and neutron shielding performance were systematically evaluated. SEM analysis confirmed effective dispersion of B<sub>4</sub>C particles in the PDMS matrix, with minimal agglomeration at low loadings and increased clustering at higher contents. Thermal stability peaked at 5 wt% B<sub>4</sub>C, with T<sub>onset</sub> and T<sub>max</sub> improving by 8.6&#xa0;°C and 20.5&#xa0;°C compared to neat PDMS; higher filler contents caused reduced stability due to agglomeration. The mechanical evaluations revealed peak values for Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break when incorporating 5 wt% B<sub>4</sub>C, achieving improvements of 50.9%, 35.56%, and 49.3%, respectively. At the same time, higher loadings deteriorated these properties due to weakened filler-matrix interactions. Neutron shielding tests revealed that the PDMS/B4C-5 composite absorbed 70% of thermal neutrons at 3&#xa0;mm thickness versus 35% for pure PDMS, increasing to 80% absorption at 5&#xa0;mm thickness. These findings highlight 5 wt% as the optimal B<sub>4</sub>C loading, maximising neutron shielding due to superior particle dispersion. Overall, the results demonstrate the promise of ball-milled PDMS/B<sub>4</sub>C composites for advanced protective shielding applications.</p>

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Facile ball milling approach to production of polydimethylsiloxane composites containing boron carbide and investigation of mechanical, thermal, and neutron shielding properties

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月4日

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  • Fatemeh Bonakdari,
  • Simin Janitabar Darzi,
  • Zahra Rafiei-Sarmazdeh

摘要

The development of neutron shielding materials with enhanced mechanical durability and cost-effective processing remains a challenge in the nuclear and aerospace industries. This study presents a facile ball milling technique to fabricate polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites containing boron carbide (B4C) at varying loadings (1–10 wt%). Composite shields were prepared by moulding and hot-pressing procedures. The thermal stability, mechanical properties, and neutron shielding performance were systematically evaluated. SEM analysis confirmed effective dispersion of B4C particles in the PDMS matrix, with minimal agglomeration at low loadings and increased clustering at higher contents. Thermal stability peaked at 5 wt% B4C, with Tonset and Tmax improving by 8.6 °C and 20.5 °C compared to neat PDMS; higher filler contents caused reduced stability due to agglomeration. The mechanical evaluations revealed peak values for Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break when incorporating 5 wt% B4C, achieving improvements of 50.9%, 35.56%, and 49.3%, respectively. At the same time, higher loadings deteriorated these properties due to weakened filler-matrix interactions. Neutron shielding tests revealed that the PDMS/B4C-5 composite absorbed 70% of thermal neutrons at 3 mm thickness versus 35% for pure PDMS, increasing to 80% absorption at 5 mm thickness. These findings highlight 5 wt% as the optimal B4C loading, maximising neutron shielding due to superior particle dispersion. Overall, the results demonstrate the promise of ball-milled PDMS/B4C composites for advanced protective shielding applications.