Effect of borosilicate glass on thermal neutron shielding performance and compressive strength of cement mortar

Abstract

The effect of borosilicate glass on the thermal neutron shielding performance and the compressive strength of cement mortar was investigated. The borosilicate glass was used as a replacement material for fine aggregate in this study. The cement mortars were mixed by four different replacement ratios of borosilicate glass. The following tests were conducted with the cement mortar: (1) Compressive strength, (2) TG/DSC and (3) neutron shielding rate using 241 Am-Be neutron source. Results indicated that the cement mortar with borosilicate glass showed higher compressive strength and higher thermal neutron shielding rate as the replacement ratio of borosilicate glass increased. The increase of the compressive strength and the thermal neutron shielding rate was associated with the pozzolanic reaction of borosilicate glass and the increase of boron content in cement mortar, respectively.