PSI - Issue 79

Naweed Ahmad Rabani et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 79 (2026) 124–137

130

Magnetite’s high atomic number and density increase its ability to attenuate gamma rays. Chen et al. (2024) found a gamma ray attenuation coefficient of 0.259 for a 75% magnetite 25% serpentine mix, which makes it suitable for nuclear shielding applications. However, due to the decreased hydrogen content, neutron shielding efficacy declined at higher magnetite concentrations, highlighting the necessity for balanced mix designs. Magnetite’s capacity to absorb microwaves makes it suitable for use in self-deicing pavements. By substituting magnetite aggregates for sand, Wang et al. (2022) were able to boost dielectric loss capacity, improve microwave heating efficiency by 30 40%, and decrease ice layer shedding time (ILST). With no effect on mechanical strength, Qiu et al. (2023) optimized magnetite silicon carbide (SiC) composites, reaching maximal deicing efficiency at 6 weight percent Fe3O4. These results are consistent with previous research by Wang et al. (2019a, 2019b), who ascribed the increased electron-magnetic response to the high imaginary permittivity of magnetite. Magnetite has benefits; however, its performance depends on mix design factors. Increasing the water-to-cement (w/c) ratio in magnetite concentrate decreased fracture energy (GF) by 27%, weakened the interfacial transition zone (ITZ), and increased brittleness, according to Sadrmomtazi et al. (2019). Additionally, the high density of magnetite may cause segregation during mixing, requiring careful rheological modifications (Morel et al., 2013).

Table 4: Magnetite Effects on Concrete

Concrete Properties Mechanical properties

Effects

Citation

Compressive strength increases from 31.5 MPa to 40 MPa; splitting tensile strength improves by 54%. Retains 79% of compressive strength at 600°C and delays cracking/spalling under high temperatures. -Boosts gamma-ray shielding (attenuation coefficient of 0.259 for 75% magnetite mix). -Reduces neutron shielding at higher concentrations. -Degrades radiation shielding performance by 76–82% at 800°C due to micro-cracking but retains marginal superiority over silica sand-based concrete. Increases electromagnetic properties (Dielectric constant) for microwave heating applications, with optimal performance at 55mm waveguide height. Improves sound insulation and noise absorption in pavements due to high solid density and acoustic damping properties. Reduces fracture energy by 27% at higher water-to-cement (w/c) ratios, increasing brittleness and weakening the interfacial transition zone (ITZ).

(Chen et al., 2024)

Thermal stability

(Horszczaruk et al., 2015)

Gamma-ray shielding & neutron shielding

(Chen et al., 2024) and Rashid et al., 2020).

Microwave absorption and deicing efficiency Electromagnetic properties

Reduces ice-layer shedding time (ILST) by improving dielectric loss capacity. (Wang et al., 2019a, 2019b; Qiu et al., 2023)

(Wang et al., 2022)

Sound insulation and Noise absorption

(Özen et al., 2019; Nabiun et al., 2024) (Sadrmomtazi et al., 2019)

Fracture energy

3.4. Effect of Ilmenite

Based on the research, depending on the specific application, adding ilmenite to concrete can either increase or decrease its compressive strength. For instance, it has been demonstrated that gradually increasing compressive strength can be achieved by partially substituting cement with ilmenite mud waste. Ilmenite can have both beneficial and negative effects on these mechanical properties, which are essential for assessing its suitability in construction applications, depending on the amount of ilmenite used and how it interacts with other ingredients in the concrete mixture. Concrete with rinsed ilmenite mud (RMUD) achieved over 90% of the compressive strength of concrete with siliceous fly ash (FA) after 28 days of curing (Chyli ń ski, Kuczy ń ski et al., 2020a). According to Da Silva Andrade Neto et al. (2019), when unreacted ilmenite (UOW) was added in the proper amounts (15%), the compressive strength of white Portland cement paste was not significantly reduced. However, other studies have shown that ilmenite reduces compressive strength when used as an aggregate, particularly at higher replacement levels (Ali et al., 2023). The tensile strength of concrete modified with ilmenite has been examined. When compared to regular concrete, research found that the addition of ilmenite aggregates may result in a decrease in tensile strength. Reported that using ilmenite instead of traditional aggregates reduced tensile strength by 27.5% (Ali et al., 2023). Numerous studies have assessed the flexural strength of concrete