Microstructure, thermal and radiation shielding properties of aluminium-silicon-boron alloy prepared by mechanical alloying Gefüge, thermische und strahlungsabschirmende Eigenschaften einer durch mechanisches Legieren hergestellten Al-Si-B-Legierung

Abstract

This study focused on developing microstructural, thermal, and radiation shielding changes in Al₅₀Si₂₅B₂₅ powders using mechanical alloying techniques. Based on the x-ray powder diffraction data, the crystallite size and microstrain of the 100-hours milled powder were calculated as 0.25 nm and 50.33 %, respectively. The solubility of silicon in the α-aluminium matrix increased with longer mechanical alloying duration. Transmission electron microscope analyses further showed that the alloy particulates had an average size of 3 μm and an average grain size of 0.226 nm. The radiation shielding properties of the Al₅₀Si₂₅B₂₅ powders indicated that the Linear Attenuation Coefficient value increased from 0.0554±0.1689 cm⁻¹ to 1.0632±0.2425 cm⁻¹ with an increase in the thickness of the Al₅₀Si₂₅B₂₅ alloy. This work successfully demonstrated the potential of mechanical alloying techniques to enhance the microstructural and thermal properties of Al₅₀Si₂₅B₂₅ powders. It highlighted their effectiveness in providing radiation shielding capabilities when varying the thickness of the alloy.