Development of novel X-ray radiation shielding tiles using cupola furnace slag

The research studies glass ceramic tiles manufactured from cupola furnace slags, which show robust mechanical properties and efficient X-ray shielding. The study involves fabricating 1000°C sintered glass ceramic tiles, both with and without binders, using various industrial cupola slags. The provides valuable insights into potential industrial applications. The primary components in cupola slag powder are silica (SiO₂) and calcium oxide (CaO), with SiO₂–CaO-based minerals such as wollastonite and anorthite emerging after sintering, enhancing the mechanical properties. The addition of sodium-meta-hexa-phosphate (SMHP) binder significantly improves both mechanical and thermal properties. Standard ceramic sinter tiles were tested for X-ray shielding efficacy, evaluating parameters such as linear attenuation coefficient (µ), half value layer, and tenth value layer across energy ranges of 75–125 kVp, in comparison with standard shielding materials. The study highlights the potential of cupola slag–derived sintered glass-ceramic tiles for industrial applications, emphasizing their robust mechanical properties and efficient X-ray shielding capabilities, with the SMHP binder opportunities avenues for further performance enhancement.