Chemically formulated ceramic gamma ray irradiation shielding materials utilising red mud

Abstract

Novel shielding materials for electromagnetic radiations have been formulated using two different approaches using red mud and processed red mud based systems. The crystallographic aspect of multicomponent and multishielding phases, in the formulated shielding materials, on the shielding efficiency has been studied. The formulated shielding materials have been evaluated for radiation attenuation using Co-60 gamma ray irradiation source and were found to reduce the shielding thickness, i.e. half value thickness, to about 40-60% of concrete. The X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the presence of bafertisite, sanbornite, celsian and troilite as the major shielding phases and phosphates of aluminium and iron as the binder phases. The SEM revealed the highly compacted and continued integrated morphological features of various shielding phases. The unique combination of these different phases is responsible for providing bonding to the ceramic matrix leading to the effective shielding and mechanical properties.

Recent Trends in Advanced Radiation Shielding Concrete for Construction of Facilities: Materials and Properties

“…Red mud is a by-product of aluminum production from bauxite. It contains a high percentage of TiO 2 , Fe 2 O 3 , and Al 2 O 3 at 20.32–21.2%, 31.88–32.33%, and 7.3–8.5%, respectively [ 98 ]. The ceramic form of red mud is produced as a radiation shielding material through sintering and combination with BaCO 3 or BaSO 4 .…”

Ceramic building materials for electromagnetic interference shielding using metallurgical slags

“…[8][9][10][11] Furthermore, ceramic shielding materials against c-ray irradiation by utilising red mud was also reported. 12 The objective of this study is to develop low cost EMI clay based ceramic building products using metallurgical EAFS and LFS as admixtures, maintaining also the required technological and environmental specifications.…”

“…Although many investigations have been carried out over the recent years for the development of fired ceramic bricks containing metallurgical slags and wastes as admixtures, only a few studies have been reported regarding the EMI shielding effectiveness of clay based ceramic building products 8 – 11. Furthermore, ceramic shielding materials against γ -ray irradiation by utilising red mud was also reported 12…”