Epoxy modified cements cured with catalytic curing agents for fixation of radioactive waste

Epoxy modified cement matrices (EPMC) were prepared by adding 10 wt% of epoxy resin to cement containing radioactive liquid waste. The epoxy resins were cured with catalytic curing agents namely N, N dimethyl benzylamine and 2,4,6 Tris (dimethyl aminomethyl) phenol. The physical properties oike evaporation loss, void percentage, leach resistance and compressive strength were determined and were compared with those of ordinary portland cement matrices (OPC). The void percentage was found to be lower in EPMC than in OPC. The compressive strength was observed to increase on the addition of epoxy resin. The nature of curing agents/hardeners was also observed to play a role in compressive strengths of the matrices. The solubilities of EPMC were characterized with respect to the release of calcium. The interaction between cement and curing agents was also studied by infrared spectroscopy.