| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Composite Materials for Nuclear Applications III
|
| Presentation Title |
Microstructural Evolution of Tungsten Boride Neutron Shielding Materials Under Radiation |
| Author(s) |
Tamas Zagyva, Mashu Harada, Samuel Humphry-Baker |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Tamas Zagyva |
| Abstract Scope |
Advanced shielding materials are required for spherical tokamaks to effectively attenuate neutron and gamma radiation and protect high-temperature superconductors from radiation damage. This presentation will highlight recent progress in evaluating the microstructural evolution of candidate shielding materials under radiation. Tungsten diboride composites, including boron-rich (WB2-x-B) and boron-poor (WB-WB2-x) compositions, were irradiated with He ions at various temperatures (300-750 °C). The irradiation-induced microstructural changes, including lattice swelling, microstrain, and He bubble formation, were characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron backscatter diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. We find strongly anisotropic lattice swelling of the hexagonal WB2-x phase that increases with decreasing temperature, nearing partial amorphization at 300 °C. The WB phase is more resistant to both lattice swelling and amorphization. This study presents the first ion irradiation results on these materials, comparing the stability of different tungsten boride phases and offering guidance to improve microstructure and composition for enhanced radiation damage tolerance. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Nuclear Materials, Ceramics, Composites |