Natural alteration of ⁶Li alumino-silicate glass.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the chemical durability of neutron shielding materials is necessary when assessing their long-term service potential. In this study, the chemical durability of a ⁶Li enriched neutron shielding glass that has been exposed to natural, near-operational conditions is assessed by Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA) and Neutron Depth Profiling (NDP). These non-destructive, nuclear analysis techniques are sensitive to ⁶Li, and PGAA is uniquely able to detect H in low quantities in solids. It was determined that the enriched alumino-silicate glass can alter within 2 months of exposure to the natural environment. This exposure resulted in an average surface alteration layer thickness of ≈22 μm. The alteration layer contained ≈47% less ⁶Li than the

SUBMITTER: Weaver JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6512992 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature