AVS 52nd International Symposium
    Applied Surface Science Monday Sessions
       Session AS-MoP

Paper AS-MoP15
Surface Structure of Thermal Neutron Absorbing Ni-Cr-Mo-Gd Alloys

Monday, October 31, 2005, 5:00 pm, Room Exhibit Hall C&D

Session: Aspects of Applied Surface Science Poster Session
Presenter: P.J. Pinhero, Idaho National Laboratory
Authors: P.J. Pinhero, Idaho National Laboratory
T.L. Trowbridge, Idaho National Laboratory
T.E. Lister, Idaho National Laboratory
R.E. Mizia, Idaho National Laboratory
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A new thermal-neutron-absorbing Ni-Cr-Mo-Gd alloy was developed at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The purpose of this alloy is to potentially absorb neutrons liberated from spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and mitigate any issues related to nuclear criticality. The microstructure of this alloy indicates a two-phase structure consisting of the primary Ni-Cr-Mo austenite matrix phase and secondary Ni@sub 5@Gd phase inclusions arising from the precipitation of the austenite-insoluble Gd. Presently, this alloy is under consideration for use within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) standardized SNF waste packages. To support the case for this alloyâ?Ts acceptance and understand its more fundamental surface character, studies were undertaken to examine its structure and composition with respect to its bulk properties, the role of oxidation and resulting passivation on its susceptibility to corrode, and finally how these properties are influenced through boron-doping. This paper focuses on the surface structure and composition of the Ni-Cr-Mo-Gd alloy, and its boron-doped brethren, through the use of electron microscopy, electron spectroscopy, and scanning probe microscopy.