Shielding composites for neutron and gamma-radiation with Gd2O3@W core-shell structured particles

• Published in: Materials letters 2020-10, Vol.276, p.128082, Article 128082
• Main Authors: Zhang, Peng, Jia, Chengpeng, Li, Jing, Wang, Wenxian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum base alloys; Aluminum matrix composites; Core-shell Gd2O3@W; Core-shell structure; Crack propagation; Gadolinium; Gadolinium oxide; Gadolinium oxides; Gamma rays; Grain boundaries; Materials science; Mechanical properties; Micro-nano W particles; Morphology; Neutrons; Nuclear materials; Particle physics; Particulate composites; Radiation shielding; Shielding for neutron and gamma ray; Structural; Tensile strength; Transgranular fracture; Tungsten
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2020.128082

•Shielding properties for neutron and gamma-radiation obtained by MCNP5 simulation.•Core-shell Gd2O3@W particles prepared through ball milling.•Double strengthening effect of core-shell Gd2O3@W particles.•Crack growth at the interface between core-shell particles and matrix. Particles of micron gadolinium oxide core and nano tungsten shell were introduced into aluminum matrix to prepare neutron and gamma ray co shielding materials. The neutron and gamma ray simulation results show that the absorption efficiency for neutron and the half value layers for primary and secondary gamma ray meet the shielding application. Morphology of core-shell structures and composites have been analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. Compared with the original particles reinforced aluminum matrix composite, tensile strength is improved by the core-shell structure particles. The tensile fracture morphology shows that the main reason for the transgranular fracture of composite is that the grain boundary Gd2O3@W particles prevent the crack growth.