RADIATION PROTECTION THROUGH BORON-CONTAINING CEMENTS AND CONCRETES
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to ascertain which boron-containing additives would impart protective properties against radiation - particularly neutron radiation - to cement and concrete without impairing physical-mechanical properties. Previous Soviet studies have indicated that theADDITION OF WATER-SOLUBLE BORON COMPOUNDS, SUCH AS BORIC ACID OR BORAX, RETARDS THE SETTING OF CEMENT AND IMPAIRS THE MECHANICAL STRENGTH OF CONCRETE. The deterioration was found to depend on the quantity of boron introduced, regardless of whether it is in the acid form (boric acid) or the alkaline form (borax). The addition of lime to cement containing soluble boron additives inhibited the deteriorating effects to a certain extent, presumably because of the formation of insoluble calcium borates. The addition of waterinsoluble materials - ground mineral datolite (2CaO.B2O3.2SiO2.H2O) or datolite slurry, obtained in the processing of datolite as an ore for boron compounds - produced satisfactory results with respect to setting time and mechanical properties. A decrease in mechanical strength upon addition of up to 30% datolite slurry is explained by the diluting effect of the additive. In general, the use of datolite as an additive is recommended for the manufacture of boron-containing cements. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0254399
Entities
Organizations
- Library of Congress