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Shieldwerx SWX-215

7.5% Lithium Polyethylene Neutron Radiation Shielding

Features

Useful for shielding gamma radiation detectors in neutron radiation fields as the thermal neutron poison utilized does not emit a capture gamma
Contains high hydrogen content with 7.5% lithium
Available in slabs, cylinders and other custom shapes

Introduction

SWX-215 is an effective neutron radiation shield that uses lithium instead of boron as the thermal neutron poison. Thermal neutrons captured by boron produce a 420 keV capture gamma that in some cases may be undesirable. Lithium does not produce a capture gamma, but since lithium has a lower thermal neutron cross section than does boron, your application will require a thicker shield to attain the same shielding factor as for a boron loaded polyethylene.

SWX-215 is available in a wide range of form factors including slabs, bricks, cylinders, pellets, and other custom shapes. It is easily machined using common wood- and metal- working tools. Shieldwerx can not only provide custom machining, but can also pour SWX-215 into custom made molds to provide application
specific radiation shielding forms.

Specifications

Composition Data

Hydrogen atom density / cm³: 5.44 x 10²²
Natural isotope distribution: 99.98 % ¹H

Lithium atom density / cm³: 6.7 x 10²¹

Natural isotope distribution: 92.6 % ⁷Li and 7.4 %⁶Li

Weight percent of all isotopes of lithium: 7.5 %
Total Density: 1.06 g / cm³ (66.2 lbs. / ft³)

Radiation Properties

Macroscopic thermal neutron cross section: 0.48 (cm^-1)
Gamma resistance: 5 x 10⁸ rad
Neutron resistance: 2.5 x 10¹⁷ n / cm2

Physical Properties

State: Bricks, slabs, cylinders
Color: Off-white, Yellow
Odor: No odor
Machinability: Excellent

Thermal Properties

Recommended Temperature Limit: 180 °F (82.2 °C)

Chemical Properties

Chemical Name & Synonyms: Lithium Polyethylene
Trade Name & Synonyms: SWX-215
Chemical Family: Polyolefin's
Formula: Mixture (CH²)n, Li
Solubility in Water: Negligible

Reactive Acids: Incompatible with concentrate acids, Releases C0₂

Available Sizes

Lithium Polyethylene Sheets	Width		Length		Thickness
Lithium Polyethylene Sheets	Inch	mm	Inch	mm	Inch	mm
SWX-215U	24	610	24	610	1	25
SWX-215R	48	1219	48	1219	1	25
SWX-215C	4	102	8	203	2	51
SWX-215B	24	610	24	610	2	51
SWX-215X	48	1219	48	1219	2	51
SWX-215D	24	610	24	610	4	101
SWX-215E	36	914	48	1219	4	101
	Custom sizes and thicknesses are available

Technical Information

Other Shieldwerx Shielding Products

For more information or to request a quotation, please contact us

by phone at: (865) 947-5123 or by email at: sales@deqtech.com.