Abstract
For the first time the capability of fly ash to produce barium containing radiopaque materials has been demonstrated. Fly ash which is a waste generated in power plants due to combustion of pulverized coal, has been utilized a a Patent applications for the developed process have already been flied in USA as well as in India vide Application No. US PTO-2646690000/03/30/06 #20060066013 and 1888/Del/04, respectively. for making X-ray radiation-shielding materials. A novel method for making radiation-shielding materials utilizing fly ash and barium compound has been developed by ceramic processing route using phosphate bonding. The fly ash based radiopaque materials (FARM), i.e. shielding materials are characterized for their X-ray attenuation characteristics. The shielding, i.e. half value thickness (HVT) for different energies of X-ray photons for FARM have been computed and compared with conventionally used shielding materials, namely concrete and lead, it is found that the HVT of the fly ash based shielding materials, in comparison to concrete, is significantly very less for the various energies of X-ray photons. The X-ray powder diffraction studies confirmed the presence of monoclinic and hexagonal celsian and sanbornite as the major shielding phases and potassium aluminosilicate, sodium aluminosilicate and silicophosphate as the binder phases in the FARM and are responsible for providing bonding to the ceramic matrix leading to the effective shielding and mechanical properties. Scanning electron microphotographs have revealed the compacted plate like particles with hexagonal morphological characteristics of the various barium silicate and barium aluminosilicate (BAS) shielding phases in the matrix of radiopaque materials. The mechanical properties, namely compressive strength and impact strength evaluation test showed that FARM meets the standard specifications laid down for radiation-shielding concrete and ceramic tiles. Based on the above studies, it is found that FARM, can preferably be used for the construction of X-ray diagnostic and CT-scanner room to provide adequate shielding against X-ray photons.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
