In addition, silicone rubber's superior characteristics of weather resistance and durability are widely recognized in such application areas as sealants for construction applications and electronics components, and it is most suitable as a material for applications that require long-term reliability. Furthermore, because the Radibarrier Series do not contain environmentally hazardous substances such as lead, it has the big advantage of being burnable in incinerators after use.
Shin-Etsu Chemical has also been successful in the development of a prototype that has an even greater radiation-shielding effect. Shin-Etsu is also focusing on furthering the goal of using this radiation-shielding material as an alternative material to lead, which is presently used as a radiation-shielding material in such application areas as nuclear power-related facilities and in the medical field.
Sales of the radiation-shielding "Radibarrier Series" in areas designated by the national government as Special Decontamination Areas and Intensive Contamination Survey Areas will be handled by EARTH Corporation. Shin-Etsu Chemical will serve as the service window in all other cases.
Going forward, Shin-Etsu Chemical will continue to support the restoration of the disaster-stricken areas of Japan through our key materials and technologies.