The effect of neutron irradiation on the electrical properties of Li-aluminate ceramics

Specimens of two ceramic groups of variable alkali, boron and alumina contents were prepared and exposed to fission neutron (252Cf source). Two techniques of irradiation were used. In the first technique, each sample received an accumulative fluence up to 1010 n/cm2. After each exposure the electric parameters such as d.c. electrical resistivity, relative dielectric constant, loss angle, relative dielectric loss constant and a.c. resistivity were studied to assess the radiation effects. In the second one, various samples were irradiated with a single neutron fluence in the range 105-1010 n/cm2 before measuring the d.c. electrical resistivity. The results indicate pronounced changes in the parameters measured which may be due to the various mechanisms such as thermal diffusion and outgassing that are occurring in the ceramic bodies during and after irradiation, especially by using the second irradiation technique. The possibility of applying these induced changes in the physical properties of the specimens upon irradiation for dosimetry purposes is discussed. (author)