Synthesis of a SYNROC ceramic from the melt

The possibility of preparing SYNROC ceramic by fusion in crucibles in a laboratory silite electric furnace and in an induction melter in a cold crucible is studied. Samples are synthesized with SYNROC-A, SYNROC-B, SYNROC-D, and SYNROC-B compositions containing 10 and 15 mass % liquid oxides and solid intermediate-level wastes (ILW). The properties of the fused materials not containing ILW are analogous to those of materials obtained by hot pressing. Adding Na-containing ILW to SYNROC-B lowers its chemical stability. The phase composition of the fused materials is approximately the same as that of the hot pressed ones. The effectiveness of preparing SYNROC ceramic by fusion in a cold crucible is demonstrated