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Glass matrix/pyrochlore phase composites for nuclear wastes encapsulation

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Abstract

Novel composite materials have been developed as alternative forms to immobilise nuclear solid waste. These composites are made of a lead-containing glass matrix, into which particles of lanthanum zirconate pyrochlore are embedded in 10 and 30 vol% concentrations. The fabrication involves powder mixing, pressing and pressureless sintering. The processing conditions were investigated with the aim of achieving the highest possible density. The best composites obtained showed a good distribution of the lanthanum zirconate particles in the glass matrix, strong bonding of the particles to the matrix and relatively low porosity (<10%). The best sintering temperature was 600°C for the 10 vol% composite and 650°C for 30 vol%. Sintering was carried out for an hour and a heating rate of 10°C · min−1 was shown to be superior to a heating rate of 2°C · min−1. At the relatively low sintering temperatures used, the pyrochlore crystalline structure of lanthanum zirconate, relevant for containment of radioactive nuclei, was stable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials, Imperial College, London, SW7 2BP, UK

    A. A. Digeos, S. Atiq, R. W. Grimes & A. R. Boccaccini

  2. MS-G755, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA

    J. A. Valdez & K. E. Sickafus

Authors
  1. A. A. Digeos
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  2. J. A. Valdez
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  3. K. E. Sickafus
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  4. S. Atiq
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  5. R. W. Grimes
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  6. A. R. Boccaccini
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Correspondence to A. R. Boccaccini.

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Digeos, A.A., Valdez, J.A., Sickafus, K.E. et al. Glass matrix/pyrochlore phase composites for nuclear wastes encapsulation. Journal of Materials Science 38, 1597–1604 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023242702644

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023242702644

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