Electromagnetic absorption, reflection and interference shielding in X-band frequency range of low cost ceramic building bricks and sandwich type ceramic tiles using mill scale waste as an admixture

General concern for potential health effects of 24 h electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure has increased over the recent years. This has led to the necessity of developing low cost electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and especially absorbing building materials. In the present study the utilization of steel mill scale waste in ceramic bricks for this purpose was investigated, while the development of an improved, regarding mainly absorption performance, building material also occurred. Both ceramic bricks and sandwich type ceramic tiles were found to have good shielding efficiency and absorption performances in the same X-band frequency range (8–12 GHz) while technological and environmental requirements as building materials were also established.