Hafnium

Hf

Absorbers

Density: 13.31 g/cm³

Hafnium metal control rod absorber. All stable Hf isotopes have significant absorption cross sections, providing long control rod lifetime without depletion concerns.

Composition

Nuclide / ElementFraction
Hf-1740.001600
Hf-1760.052600
Hf-1770.186000
Hf-1780.272800
Hf-1790.136200
Hf-1800.350800

Code output

MCNP
c Hafnium Metal (natural isotopics)
c Density: 13.31 g/cm3 (use -13.31 on cell card)
m36   72174.80c  0.001600  $ Hf-174
      72176.80c  0.052600  $ Hf-176
      72177.80c  0.186000  $ Hf-177
      72178.80c  0.272800  $ Hf-178
      72179.80c  0.136200  $ Hf-179
      72180.80c  0.350800  $ Hf-180

Notes

All six stable Hf isotopes have significant absorption cross sections. Successive neutron captures transmute Hf through its isotope chain, maintaining absorber effectiveness over long irradiation periods. Used in naval reactor control rods.

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