Investigation of shielding properties of nuclear reactor control rod material boron carbide

In this study, potential usage of boron carbide (B4 C) in nuclear technology has been emphasized. B4 C is the base material for control rods used to control the fission rate in nuclear reactors. The high neutron absorption capacity of B4 C material makes it very useful for nuclear applications. In order to examine B4 C to be used in nuclear technology, the values of mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) and linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), half and tenth value layers (HVL, TVL) and mean free path (MFP) values were analyzed with open access Photon Protection and Dosimetry (PSD) software. The clad materials considered for the study are hafnium (Hf), indium (In), silver (Ag), cadmium (Cd) and B4 C. Analyzes were made in the energy range between 1 MeV and 15 MeV. In conclusion, when MeV was reached, the MAC value was found as 0.053 cm2/g for Hf and 0.015 cm2/g for B4 C. Moreover, while the HVL value was 1 cm for Hf, it was determined as 17 cm for B4 C at 15 MeV. The obtained results were compared with the literature and it was seen that they were compatible with the literature. © 2023, Turkish Energy Nuclear and Mining Research Institute. All rights reserved.