Effect of polypropylene fiber on performance of solidification matrix

Polypropylene fiber was added to the original recipe of cement solidification to avoid or reduce crack of radioactive spent resin matrix due to water-absorbing swelling. The test results showed that polypropylene fiber had a positive impact on inhibiting the growth of crack and improving the brittleness of the solidification matrix. The performances of strength, resistance to soaking, and resistance to freezing and thawing were also improved. A superior combination was obtained through an experiment in the following conditions: with w/c at 0.35, volume content of wet spent resins at 40%, and volume content of polypropylene fiber at 0.2%. Utilizing this formulation, the compressive strength of solidification matrix reached up to about 20 MPa, and its leaching rate and water resistance also satisfied related national standards. (authors)