Thermal neutron absorbing composite coating materials and methods of applying
such coating materials to spent nuclear fuel storage systems are provided. A composite
neutron absorbing coating applied to a substrate surface includes a neutron absorbing
layer overlying at least a portion of the substrate surface, and a corrosion resistant
top coat layer overlying at least a portion of the neutron absorbing layer. An
optional bond coat layer can be formed on the substrate surface prior to forming
the neutron absorbing layer. The neutron absorbing layer can include a neutron
absorbing material, such as gadolinium oxide or gadolinium phosphate, dispersed
in a metal alloy matrix. The coating layers may be formed by a plasma spray process
or a high velocity oxygen fuel process.
