Titanium-Gadolinium Alloy for Ductile Neutron Absorbing Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional neutron absorbing structural materials, such as Al-B4C composites and boron-containing corrosion-resistant steel, suffer from low strength, high brittleness, poor formability, and high manufacturing costs, limiting their effectiveness and economic feasibility in spent nuclear fuel storage facilities.
Innovation Solution
A neutron absorbing structural material alloy composition containing a matrix metal, primarily titanium, with 2% to 49% gadolinium by weight, which is added to improve ductility and neutron absorption ability, and a manufacturing process involving melting, hot-forging, rolling, and heat-treating to enhance mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Al-B4C composites are used as neutron absorbers, then neutron absorption ability is achieved, but strength is low and brittleness is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the matrix metal from aluminum to titanium, fundamentally altering the material's mechanical properties. This parameter change transforms the material from weak and brittle to strong and ductile, while maintaining neutron absorption capability through the titanium-gadolinium alloy composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining titanium matrix metal with gadolinium alloying elements. This composite approach leverages the high strength and ductility of titanium while incorporating gadolinium's excellent neutron absorption properties, achieving both mechanical and neutron absorption performance.
2Reliability
If Al-B4C composites are used as neutron absorbers, then neutron absorption ability is achieved, but ductility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the matrix metal from aluminum to titanium, fundamentally altering the material's mechanical properties. This parameter change transforms the material from weak and brittle to strong and ductile, while maintaining neutron absorption capability through the titanium-gadolinium alloy composition.
3Reliability
If boron-containing corrosion-resistant steel is used, then neutron absorption ability is achieved, but manufacturing cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the base material from expensive boron-containing steel to more economical titanium alloy. By adjusting the alloying elements (gadolinium content at 2-49 wt%), the material achieves comparable or superior neutron absorption properties at lower manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by strategically selecting and controlling the amount of gadolinium alloying elements within the titanium matrix. This allows optimization of neutron absorption properties in specific regions or compositions while maintaining cost-effectiveness through controlled alloying rather than requiring expensive boron-containing steels throughout.
4Reliability
If Al-B4C composites are used, then neutron absorption ability is achieved, but structural stability is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the matrix metal from aluminum to titanium, fundamentally altering the material's mechanical properties. This parameter change transforms the material from weak and brittle to strong and ductile, while maintaining neutron absorption capability through the titanium-gadolinium alloy composition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The alloy composition achieves superior ductility and neutron absorption, reducing the need for separate structural materials, enhancing the efficiency and economic feasibility of spent nuclear fuel storage facilities by allowing larger fuel storage volumes in a limited space.
Implementation Method 1
the neutron poisons contained in the neutron absorbers absorb neutrons with various levels of energy, maintaining the subcriticality of the spent nuclear fuel storage system
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present invention, the neutron absorbing structural material of the present invention exhibits superior strength and ductility to those of the conventional Al-B4C composite-based neutron absorber and exhibit superior ductility, and thus not only has a neutron absorption function but also functions as a neutron absorbing structural material that itself has performance as a structural material. Furthermore, problems, such as poor formability of boron-containing corrosion-resistant steel in a manufacturing process and high brittleness of finished products, are improved and at the same time, a separate support or structural material is not required, thus remarkably improving the efficiency of design and construction of spent nuclear fuel storage facilities and the economic efficiency of construction, and it is possible to design a spent nuclear fuel storage container with a certain volume so as to store a larger amount of spent nuclear fuel therein, thus maximizing usability in a limited space.