5% vs. 10% vs. 30% Borated Polyethylene: How to Choose the Right Grade

Choosing the right grade of borated polyethylene is essential to the effectiveness, mechanical properties, and long-term performance of neutron shielding in a given environment. At Radiation Protection Products, we offer 5%, 10%, and 30% borated polyethylene compositions to provide shielding materials with the machinability, cost, and weight you need to effectively protect against radiation emissions in various medical, nuclear, and industrial applications. For additional assistance choosing the right grade, contact us.

What is Borated Polyethylene?

Borated polyethylene is a neutron shielding material that combines hydrogen-rich, high-density polyethylene with varying boron content to protect against fast neutrons, thermal neutrons, as well as primary and secondary gamma rays. The boron percentage determines the neutron attenuation level, with higher boron content providing greater attenuation but with trade-offs in cost, machinability, and weight. Depending on the neutron generation of your specific application, either 5%, 10%, or 30% will provide the best protection to meet your requirements.

Borated Polyethylene Composition Comparison: 5% vs. 10% vs. 30%

Boron Content	5% Borated Polyethylene	10% Borated Polyethylene	30% Borated Polyethylene
Neutron Attenuation Level*	75% to 85% as effective as 10% grades	1.2x to 1.3x more effective than 5%	1.5x more effective than 5% and 10% grades, 10x more effective than standard polyethylene
Density	About 1.04g/cm³	About 1.06g/cm³	About 1.28g/cm³
Machinability	Easily cut, drilled, or welded with standard tools	Good machinability, can be cut and machined to size with standard tools	Machinable, but more demanding than lower grades and requires specialized tools
Cost	Low	Medium	High—about 2.4x the cost of 5%
Best For	Medical vaults, LINAC doors, duct shielding, and general neutron shielding	Nuclear power facilities, radiation therapy rooms, and moderate-to-high radiation zones	Nuclear reactors, high-energy particle facilities, and defense applications

*There is no significant difference in fast neutron attenuation between grades; these values indicate variability in thermal/epithermal neutrons.

5% Borated Polyethylene

Our standard offering and most common grade, 5% borated polyethylene is available in standard sheets (48" x 96" x 1"), as well as custom-cut sheets, blocks, and slabs to meet your requirements for neutron shielding across applications. It is recommended for standard industrial or medical use cases and is available in various options, including:

Industrial Grade—Purple, 5% Boron by Weight**
Grade III—Red, 2% Boron by Weight**
Grade II—Yellow, 1% Boron by Weight**
Virgin Polyethylene—Natural Color

(**Nominal values, custom and proprietary color)

10% Borated Polyethylene

Available upon request, 10% borated polyethylene provides greater neutron attenuation in environments with elevated neutron flux. With enhanced protection against radiation, this grade is recommended for moderate-to-high radiation environments, such as research labs and PET cyclotron rooms.

30% Borated Polyethylene

For high-flux environments, 30% borated polyethylene is available upon request. It offers the highest level of protection compared to 5% and 10% grades for extreme radiation applications, including neutron sources, where maximum protection is required.

Find the Right Grade of Borated Polyethylene for Your Applications Today

As a radiation shielding specialist, Radiation Protection Products can help you find the right borated polyethylene material to meet your application requirements. We offer 5% borated polyethylene as our standard product, and 10% and 30% borated polyethylene on request, to deliver a range of effective shielding solutions for low to extreme radiation environments. With experience in cutting, fabricating, and installing borated polyethylene across various projects, our team has the expertise to assist you in finding the right material for your needs.

Not sure which grade will provide the best protection? Contact Radiation Protection Products today or request a quote to get started.