Ut-Battelle, Inc.

David C Anderson

Amelia M Elliott

Derek H Siddel

Matthew B Stone

Anibal J Ramirez-Cuesta

James O Kiggans, Jr

Corson L Cramer

Garrett E Granroth

Bianca Haberl

Collimators and other components for use in neutron scattering experiments or to provide neutron shielding in nuclear reactors or accelerator based neutron sources are produced by additive manufacturing from neutron absorbing material, such as boron carbide (BC) or isotopically enriched boron carbide (B).

Method for producing neutron collimators using additive manufacturing

A method for additive manufacturing of a composite object containing a bonded network of boron carbide particles and aluminum occupying spaces between boron carbide particles, the method comprising: (i) producing a porous preform constructed of boron carbide by an additive manufacturing process in which particles of boron carbide are bonded together; and (ii) infiltrating molten aluminum, at a temperature of 1000-1400° C., into pores of said porous preform to produce said composite object constructed of boron carbide particles within an aluminum matrix, wherein the boron carbide is present in the composite object in an amount of 30-70 wt. %. The resulting composite material is also herein described.

Additive manufacturing process for producing aluminum-boron carbide metal matrix composites

Collimators and other components for use in neutron scattering experiments or to provide neutron shielding in nuclear reactors or accelerator based neutron sources are produced by additive manufacturing from multiple different types of material, such as boron carbide (BC), steel, isotopically enriched boron carbide (BC), and blends thereof.

Additive manufacturing of composite neutron absorbing components

Method for producing collimators and other components from neutron absorbing materials using additive manufacturing

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Knoxville, TN, United States of America

David C Anderson