Influence of X-ray Radiation on the Phase Composition and Morphology of Electric Furnace Slag, Clinker, and Plaster

The effect of X-ray irradiation upon the structure and morphology of samples of clinker, plaster, and electric furnace slag was studied. Slag was obtained in the process of austenite manganese steel casting. The research objective was to determine the stability of these materials under radiation. The changes that occurred were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The diffractograms show changes in the profile, number, relative intensity of diffraction lines, and measured width values at half the maximum height. The micrographs show swelling and cracking of grains. As the radiation time was prolonged, this phenomenon became more evident, which points to the apparent change in the size and shape of the slag, clinker, and plaster grains, i.e. the elementary components of cement.