Behaviour of Composites Used in the Confinement of Nuclear Wastes 2 ‐ Water Absorption in Particle‐filled Epoxide Networks

The diffusion of water into epoxide composites containing sand or glass beads has been studied as a function of temperature, type of filler and its surface treatment. This investigation falls within a broader context whose aim is to assess the possibility of embedding nuclear wastes into polymer matrices. The quality of polymer-filler adhesion was checked by scanning electron microscopy. The best filler was found to be siliceous sand in particles of about 30 μm diameter, which could be added to epoxide networks in large proportions and provide a better material than the polymer alone.