Document Details
PURL
(3 mb)
Title:
Development and Evaluation of Beryllium Oxide-Boron Carbide Bodies Containing Up to Five Weight Percent Boron for Burnable Poison, Poison Reflector and Shielding Applications
Author(s):
Van Houten, R. [General Electric Co., Cincinnati, OH (United States)]
Document Type:
REPORT
Publication Date:
1962 Apr 01
Declassification Date:
1998 Jul 01
Declassification Status:
Declassified
Document Pages:
11 p.
Accession Number:
unknown
Document Number(s):
TM-62-4-10
Originating Research Org.:
General Electric Co., Cincinnati, OH (United States)
OpenNet Entry Date:
2011 Oct 12
OpenNet Modified Date:
2024 Oct 24
Description/Abstract:
Beryllium oxide bodies containing boron compounds with up to 5 weight percent boron have been fabricated by each of the standard powder metallurgy-ceramic techniques. Processes for hot pressing, for cold pressing and sintering, and for extruding and sintering are described herein. Boron carbide proved to be the preferred form of the boron additive. Shapes fabricated have ranged from extruded hexagons .25 inches across flats by 4 inches in length to hot pressed blocks 6" x 6" x 12", and larger. The most satisfactory cold press and sinter fabrication process has yielded bodies with room temperature and 2000°F modulus of rupture values in excess of 20,000 psi and 15,000 psi, respectively, and 3-sigma boron retention levels of 90% ± 2% after up to 6000 hours at 2000°F in mach 0.2 air. Slight variations in processing techniques have yielded room temperature modulus of rupture values in excess of 25,000 psi with a 3-sigma range of ± 5,000 psi. Samples were tested for several thousand hours in mach 0.2 air at 1600°F and below. These samples showed no detectable boron loss (nondestructive test) at any time.