Mechanical properties of UHMWPE/Sm 2 O 3 composite shielding material

UHMWPE have good effect to slow down fast neutrons and Sm2O3 can absorb the thermal neutrons.A new style UHMWPE/ Sm2O3 composite shielding material was manufractured by hot-press moulding method.The microstructure and mechanical properties were characterized by IR and SEM.The results indicate that Sm2O3 distributed continuously,evenly in UHMWPE,and the interface was combined closely.Hardness of UHMWPE/Sm2O3 composites increased at first and decreased and tensile strength decreased with the increasing of Sm2O3 mass fraction.