Induction melting by using a cold crucible is a suitable technology for the
immobilisation of ash residues after incineration of solid radioactive
waste. We investigated the possibility of using glass composites produced by
stirring the ash into meltedglass. Glass composites containing 15 -40 wt. %
of ash were obtained in both laboratory and bench scale units. Infrared
spectroscopy, electronic paramagnetic resonance, X-ray diffractometry, TEM
and SEM analyses were applied in order to characterise the structure of the
glass composites obtained. The glass composites consisted of a relatively
homogeneous glass matrix with embedded polycrystalline aggregates. The
fraction of aggregates increases when the fraction of ash rises. The
isothermal curing of composites at 1100 °C leads to dissolution of the ash
components into the melt as well as to their inclusion into the glass
structure, according to the analysis of the spectra obtained.