FeCrNi medium entropy alloys as potential shielding materials for nuclear applications.

Metallic alloys of different compositions are basic structures for building different types of nuclear reactors. This study evaluates the nuclear properties for three medium entropy alloys against incident neutrons and gamma radiation. The alloys had different chemical compositions prepared by powder technology and were compared with two stainless steel alloys for use in constructing different parts of nuclear power plant units. The shielding parameters were calculated: linear attenuation coefficient, half-value layer, tenth-value layer, mean free path, effective atomic number (Z), effective electronic number, and neutron removal cross-section. The Z of all investigated alloys had a range of 25.46-25.93.Sample 1 medium entropy alloy had the lowest neutron absorption feature and the greatest density (7.890 ± 0.323 g/cm) and Sample 3 medium entropy alloy had the largest neutron absorption feature. The study indicates that medium entropy alloys have potential for enhancing efficiency and safety of nuclear reactors.