National University of Science and Technology MISiS, Moscow, Russia:

G. G. Bozhko, Associate Professor at the Department of Non-Ferrous Alloys and Gold, e-mail: bojko06@mail.ru
P. A. Volodina, Postgraduate Student, Department of Non-Ferrous Alloys and Gold, e-mail: volodina94polina@mail.ru

Nanokom, Moscow, Russia:
Yu. A. Abuzin, Director of Research, e-mail: abuzin@nanocom.ru

The authors of this paper worked on fine tuning the pressure impregnation process used to produce laboratory specimens of composite Al – B₄C – WО₃ and Al – B₄C – W radioprotective materials. They also investigated the properties and structure of these materials. Tungsten, tungsten oxide and boron carbide powders were used as primary reinforcing components. The composites have an aluminium matrix. A microstructural study of the composites shows that the reinforcing particles are evenly distributed across the material and in relation to one another, and there are no flaws or visual interaction at the matrix-reinforcing particle interface. The authors investigated the phase compositions of the Al – B₄C – W and Al – B₄C – WO₃ materials. An X-ray phase analysis of the Al – B₄C – W material did not reveal any new phases. At the same time, a partial reduction of tungsten oxide to tungsten and generation of a new phase Al₂O₃ were observed in the Al – B₄C – WО₃ system. The density of the Al – B₄C – W material is 5.40 g/cm³, and it is 2.90 g/cm³ for the Al – B4C – WО3 material. The materials have the following hardnesses: 51 and 70 НВ, respectively. The composites were subjected to compression testing. The Al – B₄C – W system: modulus of elasticity 3.7 MPa; yield strength 87 MPa; ultimate strength 117 MPa; reduction of area 2.9%. The Al – B₄C – WО₃ system: modulus of elasticity 5.0 MPa; yield strength 121 MPa; ultimate strength 163 MPa; reduction of area 4.2%. Volume concentrations of the components: 0.26 B₄C – 0.17 W and 0.33 B₄C – 0.13 WО₃. Due to the combination of properties obtained in these composite materials, they can be used as structural radioprotective materials for the radiation protection of both personnel and equipment. They can also be used in transport packages.

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