From what I've read at just the level of
Wikipedia, I'd guess yes. But nuclear
physics just is not my field.
I wanted my Ph.D. in mathematical physics,
but all the physics courses I could find
did the math in very sloppy ways, and my
hope for any research progress in physics
wanted to do the math with full care. I
did get much of that math, but by then
I was occupied with my money making work
and didn't get back to physics. I'd like
to, maybe, someday! Then maybe I'll be
able to give you a solid answer.
For now, some of the discussions claim that
a lot of neutrons will make a metal brittle
but don't go the next step and explain just
why. Before I'd say anything about what
neutrons do, if only as a check on the level
of understanding, I'd want to know why.
Whatever production process partially relies on arranging the crystal structure of the metal to arrive at desirable properties, the neutrons disrupt it.
Okay, I'll accept that: What used to be
the usual isotopes of iron, carbon, aluminum,
etc. with some extra neutrons, after
whatever gamma rays, alpha particles, etc.
boil off, becomes some other isotope or
element that doesn't fit in the crystal
and, thus, makes the crystal brittle.
It can happen without neutron absorption, the neutrons simply knock the atoms out of alignment, and they bounce around a bit (so each neutron can cause more than 1 defect).
(if it doesn't follow why that would matter, look into the heat treatment of steel)
True?