Neutron shielding capabilities of 3D printing filaments

Abstract

3-D printers have improved significantly as time has passed. This has allowed the cost of printers to go down and has made them more commercially accessible. The increasing accessibility of 3D printing has allowed more and more engineering disciplines to incorporate additive manufacturing. Nuclear engineering is no exception since the costs for any sort of nuclear reactor and apparatus is still quite high, and the ability to create parts that can protect against radiation and be made on-site is very valuable. This research project determined the neutron shielding properties of readily available plastic filaments for 3D printers.