Utilization of some industrial wastes and bitumen for the fabrication of waterproofing and anti-radiation membranes

An inexpensive waterproofing membrane and an anti-radiation barrier were prepared from bitumen and sludge wastes of crystal factories. The prepared composite samples have good physical properties and ease of use is greatly required in the field of insulation. The physical and chemical tests were based on ASTM, which succeeded to get good mixtures for waterproofing insulation. The optimum addition of Pb-containing sludge to modified bitumen that gave good results was in the 68.9–61.2% range. The microstructure of the later composite shows a sub-micron of cerium oxides and amorphous Pb-silicate particles spread in a bitumen matrix and their leaching test of lead in water was 0.4 mg/L which agrees that comply with international specifications. Also, their results of thermal resistance were about 25% and the linear attenuation coefficients ( µ ) were 52, 62, and 56% in the case of sources Cs137 (662 keV), Co60 (1173 keV), and Co60 (1332 keV). Generally, the novelty of this study is due to the use of Pb-containing wastes instead of natural limestone not only will reduce the cost of the product but also will act as anti-radiation and improve thermal resistance.