A novel comprehensive utilization of vanadium slag: As gamma ray shielding material

New exploration of vanadium slag as gamma ray shielding material was proposed, the shielding properties of vanadium slag was higher than concrete when the energy of photons was in 0.0001 MeV-100000 MeV. Vanadium slag/epoxy resin composites were prepared, shielding and material properties of materials were tested by Co-60 gamma ray, simultaneous DSC-TGA, electronic universal testing machine and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results showed that the shielding properties of composite would be better with the increase of vanadium slag addition amount. The HVL (half value layer thickness) of vanadium slag was between Lead and concrete while composite was higher than concrete when the addition amount of vanadium slag was 900 used as material to shield Co-60 gamma ray, also the resistance temperature of composite was about 215 degrees C and the bending strength was over 10 MPa. The composites could be used as injecting mortar for cracks developed in biological concrete shields, coating for the floor of the nuclear facilities, and shielding materials by itself. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.