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 sample s of clinker, plaster, and electric furnace slag was studied. Slag was obta ined in the process of austenite manganese steel casting. The research obje ctive was to determine the stability of these materials under radiation. The changes that occurred were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning e lectron 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, w hich points to the apparent change in the size and shape of the slag, clink er, and plaster grains, i.e, the elementary components of cement.