Polymeric sealants may provide effective barriers to radon gas in uranium mines

Journal Article · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1975 · Eng. Min. J., v. 176, no. 9, pp. 116-118

OSTI ID:4090727

Franklin, J C; Bates, R C; Habberstad, J L

Of the 46 coating materials tested on uranium ore samples, three were found to be 100 percent efficient as radon barriers and 22 materials were judged at least 50 percent efficient. Toxicity, flammability, adhesion to wet and dry rock, and cure rate in a minelike environment were evaluated to screen out unacceptable materials. Four of the overall best coatings (a latex, an unsaturated polyester, and two water-based epoxies) were tested in an underground uranium mine in the Ambrosia Lake district of New Mexico to evaluate their sprayability and their in-place barrier efficiency. The coatings exhibited good sprayability, adhesion, and curing in the mine. Radon gas emanation was reduced by 60 percent in one chamber and by 62 percent in the other. (LK)

• Research Organization: USBM Spokane Mining Research Center, WA
• NSA Number: NSA-33-020198
• OSTI ID: 4090727
• Journal Information: Eng. Min. J., v. 176, no. 9, pp. 116-118, Journal Name: Eng. Min. J., v. 176, no. 9, pp. 116-118; ISSN ENMJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*MINERS-- HEALTH HAZARDS
*RADON 222-- RADIATION MONITORING
*SEALING MATERIALS-- PERFORMANCE
*URANIUM MINES-- ENVIRONMENT
051300*
COATINGS
EPOXIDES
LATEX
N44310* --Environmental & Earth Sciences--Radioactivity Monitoring & Transport--Atmosphere
N50330 --Metals
Ceramics
& Other Materials--Plastics & Other Materials--Properties
Structure & Phase Studies
POLYESTERS
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIOACTIVITY
URANIUM ORES