Implementation of an adaptive energy grid routine in NDEX for the processing of thermal neutron scattering cross sections

•An adaptive energy grid for processing thermal scattering laws has been developed.•The new method improves the prediction of oscillatory inelastic cross sections of metal hydrides.•Evaluation of ICSBEP models indicates a bias in criticality between the new and existing methods.•Sensitivity to accurate oscillatory cross sections is found for metal hydride moderated systems.