Single-plate neutron absorbing apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A neutron absorbing insert for use in a fuel rack and method of manufacturing the same. In ones aspect, the invention is a neutron absorbing apparatus comprising: a plate structure having a first wall and a second wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall; the first and second walls being formed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement that is bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease; and a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed into the single panel along the crease prior to bending.
1. A method of manufacturing a neutron absorbing apparatus comprising:
a) providing a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement;
b) forming a line of spaced-apart holes in the single panel with a brake press having a brake punch and a die;
c) bending the panel along the line into a chevron shape having first and second walls, wherein the brake press and die are heated to a temperature greater than above 500 degrees Fahrenheit during the bending step; and
wherein heating the single panel of the metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement to a temperature greater than 750 degrees Fahrenheit during the bending step.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the holes are elongated slits having a major axis and a minor axis, the major axis of the slits coextensive with the line.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement is a boron carbide aluminum matrix composite material that is at least 20% by volume boron carbide.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the holes are formed with a water jet.
5. A method of manufacturing a neutron absorbing apparatus comprising:
a) providing a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement;
b) forming a line of spaced-apart holes in the single panel with a brake press having a brake punch and a die;
c) bending the panel along the line into a chevron shape having first and second walls, wherein the brake press and die are heated to a temperature greater than above 500 degrees Fahrenheit during the bending step; and
flattening the first and second walls of the chevron shaped panel with a press heated to a temperature above 500 degrees Fahrenheit;
wherein heating the single panel of the metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement to a temperature greater than 750 degrees Fahrenheit during the bending step.
6. A method of manufacturing a neutron absorbing apparatus comprising:
a) providing a roll of boron carbide aluminum matrix composite;
b) hot rolling the roll of boron carbide aluminum matrix composite;
c) straightening and flattening the roll of boron carbide aluminum matrix composite using a hot roll leveler to create a panel of boron carbide aluminum matrix composite;
d) forming a line of spaced-apart slits in the panel; and
e) bending the panel of boron carbide aluminum matrix composite along the line into a chevron shape having first and second longitudinal walls.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the panel of boron carbide aluminum matrix composite is maintained at a temperature above 750 degrees Fahrenheit during the bending step.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the bending is performed with a brake press having a brake punch and a die, and wherein the brake press and die are heated to a temperature greater than 500 degrees Fahrenheit during the bending step.
9. The method of claim 6 further comprising, after step c) and before step d), shearing, the panel of boron carbide aluminum matrix composite.