Research Progress of Metal-Based Shielding Materials for Neutron and Gamma Rays

The radiation generated by nuclear reaction is harmful to human body and equipment, thus the radiation shielding materials that employ the shielding ability from neutron and gamma rays are the best candidates according to application situations and radiation sources. In this paper, the researches of metal-based neutron and gamma rays or multiple purpose shielding materials are systematically summarized, and the respective and principal problems of these materials with respect to shielding effectiveness and other performances, such as corrosion, mechanical properties, manufacture, etc., are discussed. Finally, the prospect of shielding materials is outlined, which suggests that the development of highly efficient and multiply functional radiation shielding materials with good environmental compatibility is one of the future development trends.