Eu2O3-driven tailoring strategies on Al6061-Alloy for nuclear applications: A comprehensive study on structural, physical, and radiation transmission properties

Abstract

In this study, Al6061–Eu₂O₃ composites were fabricated via mechanical alloying and systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to evaluate structural and compositional features. The incorporation of Eu₂O₃ in varying weight percentages (1–20 wt%) was confirmed by XRD, revealing phase retention and crystallite refinement, while SEM–EDS analyses indicated uniform elemental distribution at low doping and localized clustering at higher reinforcement levels. Radiation shielding properties were comprehensively assessed through mass and linear attenuation coefficients, half value layer, effective atomic number, fast neutron removal cross section, buildup factors, and photon transmission factors. The results demonstrated a strong correlation between increasing Eu₂O₃ content and improved shielding performance. The E20 composite exhibited a mass attenuation coefficient of 22.33 cm²/g at 0.015 MeV, over threefold higher than the base alloy, and fast neutron removal cross section improved by 22.5 % compared to Al6061 alone. Additionally, EBF and EABF values decreased significantly, confirming reduced secondary photon build-up. These findings validate the effectiveness of Eu₂O₃ as a reinforcement phase for tailoring Al6061 for multifunctional applications, particularly in nuclear, aerospace, and radiological environments requiring lightweight materials with superior gamma and neutron attenuation.