Damage to Macor glass-ceramic from high-dose 14 MeV neutrons

Abstract

Macor machinable glass-ceramic was irradiated to fluences up to 1 {times} 10{sup 23} 14 MeV n/m{sup 2} at room temperature. Post-irradiation measurements were carried out to determine changes in high-frequency electrical conductivity, hardness, and density. It was found that neutron damage caused slight increases in conductivity and hardness. The major changes noted was in density, where a fluence of 4 {times} 10{sup 22} n/m{sup 2} caused swelling of 1.55 vol % while a dose of 1 {times} 10{sup 23} n/m{sup 2} resulted in a lower swelling value (0.82 vol %). This unusual behavior is explained by a model involving expansion of the mica phase of Macor and contraction of the glassy phase. Implications of the present results for engineering performance of Macor at these and higher fluences are discussed. 11 refs., 5 figs