The design of a novel neutron shielding B4C/Al composite containing Gd

Equivalent amount of B (BEq) can be used to evaluate the thermal neutron shielding property of materials. Based on the calculation of BEq, a novel boron carbide and gadolinium particles reinforced Al composite (15%B4C + 1%Gd)/Al was designed. The composite was successfully prepared by vacuum hot pressing method. The B4C particles and Gd phase were homogeneously distributed in the Al matrix. The Monte Carlo Particle transport program MCNP simulation and thermal neutron shielding tests demonstrated that the (15%B4C + 1%Gd)/Al composite definitely had an almost equivalent neutron shielding property as the 30%B4C/Al composite, which in turn proved the accuracy of the design. The macroscopic transmission cross section (Σ) of (15%B4C + 1%Gd)/Al composite was as high as 21.3 cm−1, which was better than that of 30%B4C/Al composite. Tension tests indicated that by decreasing B4C content, the elongation of the composite reached as much as 9%. The addition of Gd can replace a part of B4C content in the composite, which can increase the plasticity of the composite, and keep the neutron shielding property simultaneously. Keywords: B4C/Al, Gd, Neutron shielding property, Plasticity