Cost-effectiveness of new polynated materials for shielding against fusion neutrons

The cost-effectiveness of new polyethylene-based materials for shielding against 14 MeV neutrons is investigated. The new materials consist of a powder of a medium-density, low-activation, low-cost material which is bonded by polyethylene. These new “polynated” materials are found to be more attractive than polyethylene-based commercial shielding materials; they enable to design more compact, and lower cost shields. Of the materials studied, “poly-marble” was identified the most cost-effective; it uses CaCO3 for the powder.