Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T08:40:50.782Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Metal Container Materials for Nuclear Waste

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2013

Get access

Extract

Selecting materials to contain high-level nuclear waste presents an unparalleled challenge to materials scientists and engineers because of the very long times required for containing the waste and the high degree of certainty required when predicting a container's long-term performance. Material endurance without severe degradation is the primary property sought in container materials. There are, of course, additional factors related to mechanical properties, fabricability and weldability, and economics, but these factors are usually secondary to the chemical properties of the material. Metals and alloys have been given prime consideration as container materials because metal materials are ductile and tough, they can be easily fabricated in mass quantities and large container sizes, and they can be readily joined to create intact gas-tight seals between parts.

In selecting a suitable container material, the container's environment is the most important consideration. Several geological formations and resulting geochemical environments are under consideration as disposal sites in different countries. This short review will discuss the principles governing corrosion of the primary container materials being considered in various national nuclear waste disposal programs and will show how this background can guide materials selection. Important candidate materials are then considered along with examples of how these materials will be expected to perform under repository conditions existing in a range of national programs.

Type
Nuclear Waste Disposal
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1994

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Pourbaix, M., At las of Electrochemical Equilibria in Aqueous Solutions (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1966).Google Scholar
2.Greesey, G., “A Review of the Potential for Microbially Influenced Corrosion of High-Level Nuclear Waste Containers,” CNWRA 93014, Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses (1993).Google Scholar
3.Nuttall, K. and Urbanic, V. F., “An Assessment of Materials for Nuclear Fuel Immobilization Containers,” AECL-6440, Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd. (1981).Google Scholar
4.Van Konynenburg, R.A., Halsey, W.G., McCright, R.D., Clarke, W.L., and Gdowski, G., “Selection of Candidate Container Materials for the Conceptual Waste Package Design for a Potential High Level Nuclear Waste Repository at Yucca Mountain,” UCRL-ID-112058, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (1993).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Nakayama, G. and Akashi, M., “The Critical Condition for the Initiation of Mild Steel Used for Nuclear Waste Package,” in Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XIV, edited by Abrajano, T. Jr. and Johnson, L.H. (Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 212, Pittsburgh, PA, 1991) p. 279.Google Scholar
6.Roy, A.K., Fish, R.L., and McCright, R.D., “Waste Package Materials Selection Process,” in Proc. 5th High Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference (American Nuclear Society, 1994) p. 993.Google Scholar
7.Scharzkopf, W., Smailos, E., and Köster, R., “In Situ Corrosion Studies on Cast Steel for a HighLevel Waste Package in a Rock Salt Repository,” in Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XII, edited by Lutze, W. and Ewing, R.C. (Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 127, Pittsburgh, PA, 1989) p. 411.Google Scholar
8.Sridhar, N., Cragnolino, G., and Machowski, W., “Environmental Effects on Localized Corrosion of a High Level Nuclear Waste Container Material,” in Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XIV, edited by Abrajano, T. Jr. and Johnson, L.H. (Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 212, Pittsburgh, PA, 1991) p. 269.Google Scholar
9.King, F., Neveu, D.M. Le, and Jobe, D.J., “Modelling the Effects of Evolving Redox Conditions on the Corrosion of Copper Containers,” in Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XVII, edited by Barkatt, A. and Van Konynenburg, R. (Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 333, Pittsburgh, PA, 1994) p. 901.Google Scholar
10.Sellin, P., Eng, T., and Werme, L., “Performance Assessment of the Copper/Steel Canister,” Proceedings of the 5th High Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference (American Nuclear Society, 1994) p. 1020.Google Scholar
11.Shoesmith, D.W. and Ikeda, B.M., “Development of Modeling Criteria for Predicting Lifetimes of Titanium Nuclear Waste Containers,” in Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XVII, edited by Barkatt, A. and Konynenburg, R. Van (Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 333, Pittsburgh, PA, 1994) p. 893.Google Scholar