Design, production, characterization and determination of nuclear radiation protective properties of tungsten-doped metal matrix composite materials

This study deals with the development and production of new metal matrix composite materials that are resistant to high temperatures and have the ability to armor gamma and fast neutron radiation. Various materials such as alimünyum (Al), cobalt (Co), boron carbide (B4C), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), tungsten (W), titanium boride (TiB2), titanium carbide (TiC), alimünyum oxide (Al2O3), molybdenum (Mo) and zirconium (Zr) have been used for the design and production of new metal matrix composite materials using powder metallurgy method. Armoring parameters such as gamma ray mass attenuation coefficients, linear attenuation coefficients, half-value layer effective atomic number and fast neutron total macroscopic cross section were theoretically calculated using GEANT 4 code and WinXCom programs. In addition, experimental equivalent dose measurements were performed using a 241Am-Be fast neutron source and the neutron radiation absorption capacities of the samples were determined. The mechanical strength properties of the samples were also determined by performing tests such as sulfuric acid abrasion, compressive strength and temperature resistance. The results obtained were compared with 316LN nuclear stainless steel, showing that the new metal matrix composite materials can effectively absorb both gamma and fast neutron radiation. It is proposed that these new types of metal matrix composite materials can be used for armoring purposes in nuclear applications.