Fabrication and characterization of novel high-efficiency and high-durability neutron-absorbing Ni-based alloys

New neutron-absorbing Ni-based functional alloys that depend on the gadolinium and dysprosium neutron absorption units were fabricated using vacuum induction melting. The effects of Gd and Dy contents on the microstructure characteristics and properties of Ni-based alloys were investigated. Adding Gd, Dy, and Gd + Dy into Ni-based alloys formed Ni₅Gd, Ni₅Dy and Ni₅(Gd,Dy), respectively, and their volume fraction increased with increasing of Gd/Dy content. Different type of elements, Gd or Dy, had no obvious influence on mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, while the amount of Gd and Dy elements played an important role. The shielding properties were calculated by the Monte Carlo method, and the alloys possessed high efficiency and high durability performance due to the high contents of Gd and Dy elements. The developed alloys are expected to be good functional materials for use in the field of nuclear shielding.