Pore structure and hygric properties of composite materials for radionuclide protection barriers

Abstract

Many practical applications of concrete require adjustment of its properties. If concrete is used as casing for radioactive waste deposits, its main purpose is to mitigate radionuclide release and the mix design must conform to this requirement. In this article bentonite as a material with great sorption capacity is used as a concrete component. The main issue is to assess durability of designed mixtures. Therefore, the pore structure and hygric properties are investigated. The experimental results show that bentonite utilization in concrete mixtures leads to a significant growth of pore amount in the range of 0.01 to 1 μm and increase of water transport ability.