Nuclear materials
We supply a range of specialised metals and chemicals to the nuclear industry. A selection is described below. Please contact our experienced staff for more information.
| Description | Application |
| B10 Enriched Boric Acid | Boric acid is added to primary coolant solutions used in pressurised water reactors. In a thermal neutron environment, enriched boron compounds have opposing neutron capture cross sections making B10 an extremely good neutron absorber. Hence Boric Acid is used to control the rate of the nuclear reaction by absorbing some of the neutrons before fissionable isotopes absorb them. Enriched boric acid allows the reactor operator to achieve a higher level of long term control than is generally possible with natural boric acid |
| Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate | Lithium is used in pressurised water reactors to neutralise the acidity created by the addition of boric acid to the primary coolant solutions. Control of coolant pH is important to limit corrosion of the internal reactor components by the coolant solutions |
| Cadmium Sheet | This provides nuclear/radiation shielding by absorbing free neutrons |
| Boron Powder/Boric Oxide/Boron Carbide | All these can be used as additives for neutron absorption material |
| Zircaloy-2 rods, tubes and bars | These are suitable for cladding tubes and various other applications |
| Zircaloy-4 rods, tubes and bars | Used for cladding tubes, shroud tubes and various other applications |
| Zircaloy-4/Inconel 600 transition joints (tubes and rods) |
These are used in the investigation of reactor-initiated accidents and for thermocouples |
| Zircaloy-2 powder | Used in the manufacture of nuclear reactor cores |
| Inconel 600 tubing | Used in cooling tubes (He, Ar or Xe) and thermocouples |
New Metals and Chemicals Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 1992 711111. Fax: +44 (0) 1992 768393. E-mail: materials@newmet.co.uk
Newmet House, Rue de Saint Lawrence, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1PF, Essex, UK.
Registered office: 21 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6LS.
Place of registration: England & Wales. Registration number: 427388