Review on the addition of boron compounds to radiation shielding concrete

The effects of the addition of three commercially available boric compounds (boric acid, boric frit, and borax) on the shielding properties of two radiation shielding concrete, made of carbonate and hematite aggregates, have been investigated. The results show that boric acid (H(3)BO(3)) and its frit have deleterious effect on the setting of ordinary cement in ratios 0.5-1% of the total weight of the concrete. Adding Borax (Na(2)B(4)O(7)) has no significant effect on strength of concrete in the range up to 1% by wt, but it has significant effects on shielding efficiency in thick concrete shields (100 cm) as it reduces the capture gamma rays up to 80% better than unborated concretes. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.