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Abstract

A method is described for improving neutron absorption in aluminum-based cast composite material, which comprises preparing a molten composite from an aluminum alloy matrix and aluminum-boron intermetallics containing relatively large boron-containing particles, and either (a) heating the composite and holding for a time sufficient to partially dissolve the boron-containing particles and then adding titanium to form fine titanium diboride particles, and casting the composite, or (b) adding gadolinium or samarium to the molten composite or to the aluminum alloy matrix and casting the composite to precipitate fine particles of Gd--Al or Sm--Al within the cast composite, said fine particles filling gaps around the large boron-containing particles with neutron absorbing material. A neutron absorbing cast composite material is obtained comprising neutron absorbing compounds in the form of large particles comprising B.sub.4C or an aluminum-boron intermetallic and a distribution of fine particles or precipitates comprising TiB.sub.2 or (AlTi)B.sub.2, Sm-aluminum intermetallic compounds or Gd-aluminum intermetallic compounds.

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First Claim