New composite material based on heavy concrete reinforced by basalt-boron fiber for radioactive waste management

Abstract

A new composite material with neutron radiation shielding properties is presented. This fiber reinforced concrete material incorporates basalt-boron fiber, with different concentrations of boron oxide in fiber, and is applicable to nuclear energy and nuclear waste management. The methodology for production of boron oxide (B2O3) infused basalt fiber has been developed. First experimental samples of basalt boron fiber containing 6% of B2O3 and 12% B2O3 have been produced in laboratory conditions. The concrete samples reinforced by two types of basalt-boron fiber with different dosages have been prepared for neutron experiment. The neutron experimental investigations on radiation shielding properties of concrete reinforced by basalt-boron fiber have been performed by means of Pu-Be neutron source. The prepared samples have been tested in the course of several series of tests. It is shown that basalt-boron fibers in concrete improve neutron radiation shielding properties for neutrons with different energies, but it appears to be most effective when it comes to thermal neutrons.