Influence of Zr Addition on the Phase Composition, Mechanical Properties, Deformation Behavior and Crystallographic Texture of the Al−Gd−Cr−Ti Alloy for Thermal Neutron Absorption

In the present study, a distinct core–shell structure comprising an Al21GdCrTi core and an Al3(Gd,Zr) shell was produced in the Al-7.9Gd-0.6Zr-0.2Cr-0.2Ti alloy after homogenization at 615 °C for 1 h. Concurrently, L12 nanoprecipitates (Al3(Gd,Zr)) of 20–25 nm in size were formed. The neutron absorption reduction factor was evaluated at the Dubna research reactor, where a 1 mm thick rolled layer reduced the intensity of neutrons scattered from pure aluminum by a factor of 17 to 36. Cold rolling enhanced yield strength (175 ± 6 MPa) compared to hot–cold rolling (164 ± 2 MPa) but reduced elongation (11.9 ± 1.1% vs. 13.5 ± 0.2%), while ultimate tensile strength remained similar at 203 MPa.