EPOXY MODIFIED CEMENTS CURED WITH CATALYTIC CURING AGENTS FOR FIXATION OF RADIOACTIVE-WASTE

Epoxy modified cement matrices (EPMC) were prepared by adding 10 wt% o f epoxy resin to cement containing radioactive liquid waste. The epoxy resins were cured with catalytic curing agents namely N, N dimethyl b enzylamine and 2,4,6 Tris (dimethyl aminomethyl) phenol. The physical properties like evaporation loss, void percentage, leach resistance an d compressive strength were determined and were compared with those of ordinary portland cement matrices (OPC). The void percentage was foun d to be lower in EPMC than in OPC. The compressive strength was observ ed to increase on the addition of epoxy resin. The nature of curing ag ents/hardeners was also observed to play a role in compressive strengt hs of the matrices. The solubilities of EPMC were characterized with r espect to the release of calcium. The interaction between cement and c uring agents was also studied by infrared spectroscopy.