EFFECT OF THERMAL-NEUTRONS ON THERMAL-EXPANSION OF SOME TERNARY BORATE GLASSES

The thermal expansion of some ternary borate glasses was measured from room temperature to above the softening temperature before and after exposing to thermal neutrons. The effect of changing the chemical comp osition of the glass on the thermal expansion was investigated. Neutro n irradiation was found to cause a remarkable decrease in thermal expa nsion of all glasses studied. Interpretation of the experimental data is accomplished by considering the bond strength, and/or ionic sizes o f the introduced cations together with their response on the glass str ucture. The possible occurrence of induced radiation compaction in the glasses upon neutron irradiation is discussed.