Neutron-shielding fabric and composite fiber and method of manufacture

Abstract

This invention relates to the composite fiber incorporating the neutron-shielding properties consisting of a fiber-forming polymer as the core-component essentially containing certain compounds capable of shielding the neutrons and the other fiber-forming polymer as the sheath-component capable of bonding said core-component, while this invention also relates to the method of manufacturing said composite fiber embodied by this invention. The composite fibers embodied by this invention are not only capable of containing a large amount of the neutron-shielding compounds in the fiber themselves, but also capable of being made into knits and sewn fabrics by means of conventional spinning, knitting and sewing machines, and yet, these fabrics made from said composite fibers can be completely free from drop-out of even the slightest amount of the neutron-shielding compounds during either fabrication procedures or use and also free from any problem that may potentially be caused by atmospheric diffusion of the secondary radioactive material generated by the nuclear reaction. The neutron-shielding fabrics thus embodied will protect the surgical operators as well as the patients from any of the irradiated neutrons during surgical operations such as in removing cerebral tumor and also protect the operators of the nuclear-reactor from potential hazard of exposure to the neutron rays.