THE RELATION TO THE BEHAVIOR OF A BORON COMPOUND IRRADIATED WITH NEUTRONS TO FEATURES OF THE CRYSTAL STRUCTURE

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · At. Energ. (USSR)

OSTI ID:4692784

Samsonov, G V

The burnout of B/sup 10/ leads to swelling, and to the evolution of helium at high temperatures with deformation and cracking of the irradiated boron material. The crystalline compounds which are the most sensitive to the effects of neutron irradiation such as boron, boron carbide, and the tetra- and hexaborides contain a three-dimensional lattice of boron atoms, while the diborides, which are the most stable to neutron irradiation, contain hexagonal layers of metal atoms alternating with layers of boron atoms which form a hexagonal two-dimensional network. Helium can escape from a shell-type lattice only by disrupting the lattice. In the case of the layer-lattice type of structure as in the diborides, helium can escape from the lattice with a minimum amount of damage to the lattice. A MeB/sub 2/compound allows the relatively free escape of helium, and yet, the lattice has a reinforcing effect so that this type of compound is the most suitable from the point of view of stability to neutron irradiation. Covalent binding decreases the stability of a boron compound. It is predicted that BN, which has the structure of graphite, should be stable to neutron irradiation. Also, the diborides of niobium, tantalum, and chromium should be relatively stable to neutron irradiation. (TTT)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-17-032157
• OSTI ID: 4692784
• Journal Information: At. Energ. (USSR), Journal Name: At. Energ. (USSR) Vol. Vol: 14
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: Russian

Related Subjects

BONDING
BORIDES
BORON
BORON 10
BORON CARBIDES
BORON NITRIDES
CHEMISTRY
CHROMIUM BORIDES
CRYSTALS
DEFORMATION
EVAPORATION
EXPANSION
GRAPHITE
HELIUM
HIGH TEMPERATURE
IRRADIATION
LATTICES
NEUTRON BEAMS
NIOBIUM BORIDES
TANTALUM BORIDES