Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, Deformation Behavior, and Crystallographic Texture of the Al-Gd-Cr-Ti Quaternary Alloy for Thermal Neutron Absorption

Abstract

In this work, we report the identification of a novel quaternary intermetallic phase (Al21GdCrTi) formed during the solidification of a novel Al-Gd-Cr-Ti alloy, which has not been previously documented in the literature to the best of our knowledge. The study also provides a detailed analysis of microstructure evolution, texture behavior, and the mechanical strengthening effect of rolling processes, along with neutron absorption performance. XRD analysis reveals that the intensity of (022), (113) planes of the as-hot-cold-rolled sample is higher than that of the as-cast due to the change in the direction of some grains in these planes during rolling. The results indicate that the studied alloys scatter neutrons about 100 times less than a nearly pure aluminum alloy. The hardness of the as-cast alloy increased from 36 to 53 HV after cold rolling and to 50 HV after hot rolling-cold rolling. Hot-cold-rolled alloy has a yield strength of 160 MPa and an ultimate tensile strength of 181 MPa, while maintaining an elongation of 11.3%. The studied alloys, containing 4.2 wt.% of the alloying elements 3.8Gd, 0.2Cr, and 0.2Ti (Al-3.8Gd-0.2Cr-0.2Ti), exhibited a yield strength 28 MPa higher than those containing 21 wt.% of the alloying elements 5Cu, 6Gd, and 8Bi (Al-5Cu-6Gd-8Bi). The studied alloys form the basis for the development of high-technology Al-Gd alloys for neutron shielding.