Carbon nanotubes - protect metals against radiation damage

Mar 09, 2016

A team of MIT scientists have discovered that small amounts of carbon nanotubes if added to metals makes them much more resistant to radiation damage. This is only proven for aluminum as of now, but the team says that the ability of the nanotubes to slow the breakdown process would certainly improve the operating lifetimes of commercial reactors.

Radiation is bad for metals and it affects nuclear reactors as well. The constant strong radiation exposure on metals makes them brittle and porous to the point where they crack and fail. Due to bombardment of radioactive particles the atoms in the metal transmute and split, which generates tiny bubbles of helium that could bend the metallic cases. Ultimately, the metal becomes brittle and porous, and much more prone to fracturing.

When carbon nanotubes are mixed with the metal in quantities of less than 2% by volume during manufacturing, the metal becomes much more resistant to radiation. The nanotube produces a percolating one-dimensional transport network that removes helium out of the metal before it can cause damage. The team is also testing it on zirconium and other higher temperature metals. 

Source:http://www.gizmag.com/carbon-nanotubes-radiation-protection/42148/