Doping of steel slag waste as a sustainable filler in ceramic tile composites for enhanced gamma-ray shielding

Abstract

This study explores the incorporation of electric arc furnace (EAF) steel slag, a common industrial by-product, as a sustainable filler in ceramic tile composites for enhanced gamma-ray shielding. Ceramic tile samples were prepared by varying the EAF slag contents (0–40 wt%) and characterized using FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and EDX. Mechanical properties, including modulus of rupture (MOR) and Vickers microhardness (H_v), were evaluated. The sample with 20 wt% slag exhibited the highest MOR (14.0 ± 0.21 MPa), while H_v values increased with slag content. Gamma-ray shielding parameters, such as mass attenuation coefficient (μ_m), effective atomic number (Z_eff), effective electron density (N_el), and half-value layer (HVL), were measured by a NaI(Tl) detector at a photon energy range from 238 to 2614 keV. The sample with 40 wt% slag (CT-EAF-4) demonstrated the best shielding performance, with a μ_m of 0.1811 cm² g⁻¹, Z_eff of 7.312, N_el of 0.2813 × 10²³ electrons g⁻¹, and the lowest HVL (0.253 cm) at 238 keV. These findings highlight the effectiveness of EAF slag as an eco-friendly additive for enhancing both the mechanical and radiation shielding properties of ceramic tiles. Consequently, this approach provides a sustainable solution for the reuse of industrial waste in the development of protective building materials.