Corrosion behavior, microstructure, and mechanical properties of Al-10Sm2O3-B neutron shielding composites

• Novel Al-10Sm 2 O 3 -B Composites: Al-10Sm 2 O 3 -B composites with varying B content (0B, 3B, 9B, 15B, 20B, 30B) were successfully synthesized and characterized. • Enhanced Mechanical Performance: Increasing B content significantly improved hardness and wear resistance due to the homogeneous distribution of B particles. • Microstructural Stability: Sm 2 O 3 acted as a binder, promoting a more compact structure and improving phase homogeneity. • Corrosion Behavior: Higher B content decreased corrosion resistance, attributed to increased porosity and micro-galvanic effects. • Radiation Shielding Efficiency: B reinforcement enhanced neutron shielding by increasing the macroscopic cross-section, while partially reducing photon attenuation. • Potential Applications: The developed composites offer a balanced combination of mechanical strength and radiation protection, making them promising for nuclear shielding and structural applications. This study examines the impact of boron (B) reinforcement on the corrosion resistance, microstructural properties, mechanical performance, and radiation shielding capabilities of Al-10Sm 2 O 3 composites. Comprehensive characterization studies were carried out by fabricating composites with 0B, 3B, 9B, 15B, 20B, and 30B contents. Density measurements revealed that increased B content increases macro and microporosity, decreasing the relative density. Hardness measurements showed a significant increase in hardness values attributed to the homogeneous distribution of B particles, with the highest hardness value recorded at 259.9 HV in the 30B composite. Wear tests indicate that increasing the B content enhances wear resistance and reduces material loss. Corrosion tests revealed an adverse change in corrosion potential and an increase in corrosion current density with increasing boron (B) content, indicating that B particles negatively affect corrosion resistance by disrupting the continuity of the oxide layer. Radiation shielding analyses performed using MCNP6.2 simulation showed that higher B content increases thermal and fast neutron macroscopic cross sections, whereas gamma-ray attenuation properties decrease. The findings indicate that B reinforcement improved the mechanical and tribological performance but reduced the corrosion resistance. However, the increased thermal and fast neutron macroscopic cross-sections reveal the potential of B-reinforced Al-10Sm 2 O 3 composites for neutron shielding applications.