Advances in elastomeric composites for radiation shielding: a comprehensive review
7 affiliations
- 1Monash University Malaysia
- 2Universiti Kuala Lumpur
- 3Malaysian Nuclear Agency
- 4IDDK Co. Ltd
- 5Universiti Teknologi Brunei
- 6Sunway University
- 7University of Technology Sydney
Abstract
The rapid expansion of nuclear and radioactive technologies across medical diagnostics and therapy, industrial applications, and nuclear energy sectors has intensified the need for advanced radiation shielding materials. Conventional shielding solutions, such as lead-based materials and concrete, while effective, suffer from significant drawbacks, including toxicity, rigidity, and high density, that hinder their suitability for flexible or wearable protective applications. In response, elastomer-based composites have emerged as a promising class of next-generation shielding materials, offering advantages such as low toxicity, high flexibility, and lightweight structure. When compounded with appropriate elemental or hybrid fillers, elastomers can be designed to reduce various types of ionizing and neutron radiation effectively. This review presents a foundational overview of radiation-matter interactions, followed by a critical analysis of recent developments in elastomeric radiation shielding composites. Key focus areas include material formulations, shielding performance across different radiation types and energy levels, and the influence of filler selection. The review also discusses current challenges in material processing and scalability while outlining prospects in designing multifunctional, high-performance radiation shielding systems. With continued innovation in elastomer matrices and filler technologies, the development of versatile, efficient, and application-specific radiation shielding composites is now more feasible than ever, especially in healthcare and research.
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BibTeX
@article{tan2026advances,
title = {{Advances in elastomeric composites for radiation shielding: a comprehensive review}},
author = {Alphonsus Wen Chun Tan and Darren Yi Sern Low and Sher-Wei How and Janarthanan Supramaniam and Siew Kooi Ong and Fahmi Asyadi Md Yusof and N. I. N. Ismail and Hajah Hasfazilah Hassan and Kohei Yoshioka and Sivakumar Manickam and Ee Wern Tan and Bey Hing Goh and Siah Ying Tang},
journal = {International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1080/19475411.2026.2679500},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/19475411.2026.2679500},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Advances in elastomeric composites for radiation shielding: a comprehensive review
AU - Alphonsus Wen Chun Tan
AU - Darren Yi Sern Low
AU - Sher-Wei How
AU - Janarthanan Supramaniam
AU - Siew Kooi Ong
AU - Fahmi Asyadi Md Yusof
AU - N. I. N. Ismail
AU - Hajah Hasfazilah Hassan
AU - Kohei Yoshioka
AU - Sivakumar Manickam
AU - Ee Wern Tan
AU - Bey Hing Goh
AU - Siah Ying Tang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/05
JO - International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials
DO - 10.1080/19475411.2026.2679500
UR - https://doi.org/10.1080/19475411.2026.2679500
AB - The rapid expansion of nuclear and radioactive technologies across medical diagnostics and therapy, industrial applications, and nuclear energy sectors has intensified the need for advanced radiation shielding materials. Conventional shielding solutions, such as lead-based materials and concrete, while effective, suffer from significant drawbacks, including toxicity, rigidity, and high density, that hinder their suitability for flexible or wearable protective applications. In response, elastomer-based composites have emerged as a promising class of next-generation shielding materials, offering advantages such as low toxicity, high flexibility, and lightweight structure. When compounded with appropriate elemental or hybrid fillers, elastomers can be designed to reduce various types of ionizing and neutron radiation effectively. This review presents a foundational overview of radiation-matter interactions, followed by a critical analysis of recent developments in elastomeric radiation shielding composites. Key focus areas include material formulations, shielding performance across different radiation types and energy levels, and the influence of filler selection. The review also discusses current challenges in material processing and scalability while outlining prospects in designing multifunctional, high-performance radiation shielding systems. With continued innovation in elastomer matrices and filler technologies, the development of versatile, efficient, and application-specific radiation shielding composites is now more feasible than ever, especially in healthcare and research.
SN - 1947-5411
SN - 1947-542X
ER -