The long-term integrity of a thermal neutron poison is essential for effective criticality control of spent nuclear fuel. In the nuclear industry worldwide, BORAL^® has demonstrated long-term integrity when used in the design and fabrication of spent fuel pool storage racks and dual-purpose (storage/transportation) canisters and casks.

Physical Description
BORAL^® is a precision hot-rolled composite plate material consisting of a core of mixed aluminum and boron carbide particles with an 1100 Series aluminum cladding on both external surfaces. The cladding forms a solid and effective barrier against the environment. BORAL^® is produced over a wide range of surface dimensions, areal densities and thicknesses. BORAL^® is manufactured in flat sheets that can be cut, punched, bored and formed into shapes. The physical properties of BORAL^® allow it to be designed into fabricated structures as necessary.

Applications
BORAL^® is well suited to many nuclear applications and has industrywide usage in the United States, Europe and Asia. Beginning in the late 1950’s, the earliest uses were in research reactors where BORAL^® was used as control blades, beam-port shutters, thermal column liners, and other neutron absorbing components. The material now has a 35-year production and utilization history as instrument detector shields and in various spent fuel pool storage applications.

BORAL^® has the longest continuous service history of any neutron absorbing material and is currently used at seventy nuclear power plants and eleven research reactors worldwide. Decades of successful performance clearly demonstrate its effectiveness in high gamma and neutron radiation fields.

Commitment
Ceradyne Canada, located in Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada, is the manufacturer of BORAL^® and its patented design and manufacturing process. Ceradyne is committed to improving and delivering BORAL^® products that exceed service requirements while maintaining competitive cost levels.

BORAL^® is an established, proven material with a long production history and extensive supporting test data developed over the years. It is well suited to many nuclear applications including storage of spent nuclear fuel, fresh fuel canisters, research reactor control applications and detector neutron shields. This reputation ensures a lifetime of service.