Abstract: Described herein is a radiation shielding composition and a method for making comprising: (i) a boron-containing powder wherein the boron-containing powder comprises at least a bimodal particle size distribution, and (ii) a metal, wherein the metal encapsulates the ceramic powder to form the radiation shielding composition.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for making a metal matrix composite material comprising: (a) forming a metal box comprising a bottom forming plate having a length and a width, a first pair of side forming plates having a length and a height, and a second pair of side forming plates having a width and a height; (b) mixing a metal powder and a ceramic powder to prepare a mixed powder; (c) filling the metal box with the mixed powder; (d) compacting the mixed powder in the metal box to provide the metal box comprising a compacted powder preform; (e) disposing a top forming plate onto the metal box in solid abutment against the metal box comprising the compacted powder preform and sealing around its edges to produce a pre-rolling assembly; and (f) performing hot working on the pre-rolling assembly to obtain the metal matrix composite material with a metal cladding.