Mechanical and Shielding Properties of an as-cast New Pb-B Shielding Composite Materials

The new type of Pb-B shielding alloys with high tensile strength and hardness were prepared by casting. The microstructure and morphology of the Pb-B alloys were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. Mechanical properties and radiation shielding effect of the alloys were compared with other Pb-based shielding alloys. The results indicate that the tensile strength and hardness increased up to 116 MPa and 160 HB with the 1.0 wt.% content of B. The fractographic examination conducted by SEM indicate that the Pb-B alloys are in form of plastic fracture, and the fracture model changes from the dimple to the intergranular quasi-cleavage with the increasing of B content. Furthermore, the composites are of the excellent shielding properties. Especially at the thickness of 20 mm, the shielding ratios for gamma-ray and neutron reach 49.7% and 92.7%, respectively.