Immobilization of Simulated Borate Radioactive Waste Solution in Cement-Poly(methylmethacrylate) Composite: Mechanical and Chemical Characterizations

Table 5

Compressive strength values of plain cement, cement-waste form, cement-PMMA composite, and cement-PMMA composite waste form immersed in distilled water.

(a) Solid blocks cured for one month before immersion

Immersion times, days	Compressive strength values (kg/cm^2)
	Plain cement	Cement waste forms*	Cement-PMMA composite	Cement-PMMA composite waste form*
3	262	177	276	248
7	268	196	305	275
30	270	201	301	250
90	274	206	314	258
365	276	190	301	266

∗Contains 4% by weight borate waste simulate.

(b) Solid blocks cured for 3 months before immersion

Immersion times, days	Compressive strength values (kg/cm^2)
	Plain cement	Cement waste forms*	Cement-PMMA composite	Cement-PMMA composite waste form*
3	269	181	291	262
7	272	200	319	281
30	272	211	310	276
90	274	210	321	253
365	281	188	299	262

∗Contains 4% by weight borate waste simulate.