IAEA-CN-115-26 · Accelerator Based Technique of Fission Fragment Implantation for Wear Studies

A.F. Gurbich, Yu. V. Minko, V.V. Sokovikov

Institute of Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russian Federation

Abstract: A radiotracer technique to study wear of materials that cannot withstand a conventional surface activation by beam bombardment is presented. The thermal neutron induced fission fragments emitted from the ²³⁵U layer were implanted into a sample surface in order to create a radioisotope label. Neutrons were generated by means of the ⁷Li(p,n) ⁷Be reaction. The proton beam from the 2.5 MeV Van de Graaf accelerator was employed. The depth distribution of the implanted fragments was determined and appeared to be ideally suited for a surface degradation study. The fragments suitable to serve as tracers were determined and their γ-spectra were measured. The degradation of the surface was derived from the activity loss. Advantages of the method are demonstrated through the application to abrasion testing of an electrostatic accelerator charge conveyer belt. The described technique may be useful for wear studies of parts made of plastics, rubber, ceramics etc.

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