PSI - Issue 79

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

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properties. Because ilmenite can retain 80% of its structural integrity at very high temperatures, it is unique for applications requiring fire resistance. Additional ways that industrial byproducts like ferrochrome slag promote sustainability include lowering environmental waste and enhancing durability. Despite these benefits, problems like reduced workability, increased brittleness with higher mineral concentration, and the environmental impact of mineral extraction necessitate careful optimizations of mix designs. Since neutron shielding is still limited without additional hydrogen-rich additions, composite material techniques are required. Future research must focus on using nanoparticles to improve microstructural properties, developing eco-friendly sourcing methods, and conducting durability tests over an extended period of time under cyclic mechanical and thermal stressors, by balancing sustainability and performance enhancements. 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