Advances in elastomeric composites for radiation shielding: a comprehensive review

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.