July 18, 2001
The aluminum alloy contains enriched Boron-10, which is noted for its ability to absorb neutrons. For this reason, boron is used in nuclear casks and in the critical control of light water reactors. As enriched Boron-10 was available only from overseas, Kobe collaborated with Stella Chemifa Corporation, a manufacturer of fluorine compounds, in developing technology to mass produce the material. Stella Chemifa produces the enriched boron at its Izumi Plant. The aluminum alloy is cast by Nippon Koshuha Steel Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Kobe Steel. The two companies developed special melting technology to maintain high ingot quality in the alloy. Rolled products made of the boron aluminum alloy are made at Kobe Steel's Moka Plant, while extrusions are made at the Chofu Plant. Kobe Steel anticipates demand of one ton per year for the boron aluminum alloy. One cask contains approximately 30 kg of enriched boron. In addition to the boron aluminum alloy, Kobe Steel is capable of producing other products containing enriched boron, including boron carbide, boron acid and ferro-boron. |