Pressureless Sintering of B₄C Neutron Absorbing Material with Nano-Sized Rare-Earth Compounds Addition

Abstract:

The processing of boron carbide by pressureless sintering with nano-sized rare-earth compounds additives to obtain dense pellets for use as neutron absorber in fast breeder reactors is investigated. The effect of dysprosium aluminum garnet (DAG) and dysprosium titanate nanopowders on density and mechanical properties was studied. The addition of DAG and dysprosium titanate nanopowders was found to be beneficial in the densification of B₄C powders. B₄C with 5 wt. % of DAG or dysprosium titanate nanopowders, exhibiting bulk density of 2.14g/cm³ and 2.35 g/cm³, could be prepared by pressureless heating at 2120°C and 2160°C.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 602-604)
• Pages: 503-507
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.602-604.503
• Online since: December 2012
• Authors: Ru Bin Wei, Yu Jun Zhang, Hong Yu Gong, Xiao Jun Liu, Ya Zhen Jiang, Yu Jun Zhao
• Keywords: B₄C, DAG, Dysprosium Titanate, Neutron Absorbing, Pressureless Sintering, Rare Earth (RE)

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