Processing of complex-shaped collimators made via binder jet additive manufacturing of B4C and pressureless melt infiltration of Al

Corson L. Cramer; Amy M. Elliott; James O. Kiggans; Bianca Haberl; David C. Anderson

doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2019.107956

Processing of complex-shaped collimators made via binder jet additive manufacturing of B₄C and pressureless melt infiltration of Al

Corson L. Cramer
, Amy M. Elliott
, James O. Kiggans
, Bianca Haberl
, David C. Anderson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

56 Scopus citations

Abstract

Complex collimator geometries are desired for custom neutron scattering applications. Boron carbide (B₄C) is a suitable candidate collimator material because its high boron content results in a large neutron-absorbing cross section and it can be safely processed with powders and subsequent melt infiltrations. High-density collimator geometries of boron carbide-aluminum metal matrix composites were fabricated using binder jet additive manufacturing followed by pressureless melt infiltration with Al alloys. Infiltration of three different Al alloys was demonstrated and the effects of processing time on one alloy were analyzed. During processing, additional reactant phases were produced, and the resulting microstructure was analyzed. Collimator samples produced had high densities and hardness as well as favorable neutron scattering results.

Original language	English
Article number	107956
Journal	Materials and Design
Volume	180
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2019.107956
State	Published - Oct 15 2019

Funding

The authors would like to thank Olivia Shafer for editing assistance. The authors would also like to thank Jamie J. Molaison for assistance with the SNAP measurements and Garrett Granroth for assistance on the streamlined strategy for integrated collimator design and sample environment funded by the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by UT-Battelle, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy. This work was sponsored by the Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program of Oak Ridge National Laboratory managed by UT-Battelle, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy. Portions of this work were conducted at SNAP beamline of the Spallation Neutron Source and HTML Users Program, M&C, which are both DOE Office of Science User Facility operated by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A portion of the work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy , Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy , Advanced Manufacturing Office , under contract number DE-AC05-00OR22725 .

Keywords

BC-Al composite
Binder jet additive manufacturing
Neutron collimation
Pressureless melt infiltration

Access to Document

10.1016/j.matdes.2019.107956

Cite this

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title = "Processing of complex-shaped collimators made via binder jet additive manufacturing of B4C and pressureless melt infiltration of Al",

abstract = "Complex collimator geometries are desired for custom neutron scattering applications. Boron carbide (B4C) is a suitable candidate collimator material because its high boron content results in a large neutron-absorbing cross section and it can be safely processed with powders and subsequent melt infiltrations. High-density collimator geometries of boron carbide-aluminum metal matrix composites were fabricated using binder jet additive manufacturing followed by pressureless melt infiltration with Al alloys. Infiltration of three different Al alloys was demonstrated and the effects of processing time on one alloy were analyzed. During processing, additional reactant phases were produced, and the resulting microstructure was analyzed. Collimator samples produced had high densities and hardness as well as favorable neutron scattering results.",

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author = "Cramer, \{Corson L.\} and Elliott, \{Amy M.\} and Kiggans, \{James O.\} and Bianca Haberl and Anderson, \{David C.\}",

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AU - Cramer, Corson L.

AU - Elliott, Amy M.

AU - Kiggans, James O.

AU - Haberl, Bianca

AU - Anderson, David C.

PY - 2019/10/15

Y1 - 2019/10/15

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AB - Complex collimator geometries are desired for custom neutron scattering applications. Boron carbide (B4C) is a suitable candidate collimator material because its high boron content results in a large neutron-absorbing cross section and it can be safely processed with powders and subsequent melt infiltrations. High-density collimator geometries of boron carbide-aluminum metal matrix composites were fabricated using binder jet additive manufacturing followed by pressureless melt infiltration with Al alloys. Infiltration of three different Al alloys was demonstrated and the effects of processing time on one alloy were analyzed. During processing, additional reactant phases were produced, and the resulting microstructure was analyzed. Collimator samples produced had high densities and hardness as well as favorable neutron scattering results.

KW - BC-Al composite

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KW - Neutron collimation

KW - Pressureless melt infiltration

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