Influence of the sintering temperature on mechanical properties of the Al+20 % Fe/B system

This work studies the mechanical properties of the mix aluminium and 20% de Fe/B (50wt%), obtained through powder metallurgy. With this study, aluminium lightness and boron absorbing neutron capability are tried to join. Intermetallic formation allows a wide range of sintering temperatures (from 600 to 1100 degrees C), neither presenting important dimensional changes in the obtained materials, nor significant differences in mechanical properties. Intermetallic formation is discussed through scanning electron microscopy. In all manufactured materials, density and mechanical properties (bending strength and hardness) are studied. Moreover, hot rolling capability of materials sintered at 700 and 1000 degrees C was studied, as method to form components for barrier structures in nuclear applications, finding different behaviours.