Mechanical and radiation shielding characterization of W-based alloys for advanced nuclear unit.

The paper aims to investigate the mechanical and radiation shielding properties of two tungsten-based alloys manufactured by powder technology; their features when compared with two standard stainless steel grades for advanced nuclear applications. Multiple measurements were performed to characterize the alloys' structural and mechanical properties. XRD analysis and average surface roughness measurements showed the crystalline and morphological structure of the alloys. Surface microhardness added to the abrasive wear analysis showed the final wear resistance of the selected alloys. In addition, the shielding features against gamma and fast neutrons radiation were calculated. The superior characteristics of W-based alloys manufactured by powder technology make them suitable to be used in advanced nuclear power units. [Display omitted] • The powder technology has been used to manufacture two tungsten-based alloys. Their physical, mechanical and tribological features were compared with other two stainless steel alloys for application at the nuclear power reactors. • Powder technology is unique and controls the final properties of produced materials, including porosity, density, and uniform morphology of the material texture. • Tungsten based alloys exhibit excellent tribological properties. They are suitable for components subjected to high mechanical stresses and sliding contact in nuclear reactors. • Tungsten based alloys achieve higher density than stainless steel alloys,They are more effective in shielding against gamma radiation. • It is recommended to use Tungsten-based alloys prepared by the powder technology at the higher energy range 0.1 to 20 MeV for the nuclear applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]