Seal welded cast iron nuclear waste container

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:866394

Filippi, Arthur M ^[1]; Sprecace, Richard P ^[2]

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1. Pittsburgh, PA
2. Murrysville, PA

This invention identifies methods and articles designed to circumvent metallurgical problems associated with hermetically closing an all cast iron nuclear waste package by welding. It involves welding nickel-carbon alloy inserts which are bonded to the mating plug and main body components of the package. The welding inserts might be bonded in place during casting of the package components. When the waste package closure weld is made, the most severe thermal effects of the process are restricted to the nickel-carbon insert material which is far better able to accommodate them than is cast iron. Use of nickel-carbon weld inserts should eliminate any need for pre-weld and post-weld heat treatments which are a problem to apply to nuclear waste packages. Although the waste package closure weld approach described results in a dissimilar metal combination, the relative surface area of nickel-to-iron, their electrochemical relationship, and the presence of graphite in both materials will act to prevent any galvanic corrosion problem.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-06-1830
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4700863
• Application Number: 06/910,241
• OSTI ID: 866394
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

seal
welded
cast
iron
nuclear
waste
container
identifies
methods
articles
designed
circumvent
metallurgical
associated
hermetically
closing
package
welding
involves
nickel-carbon
alloy
inserts
bonded
mating
plug
main
components
casting
closure
weld
severe
thermal
effects
process
restricted
insert
material
accommodate
eliminate
pre-weld
post-weld
heat
treatments
apply
packages
approach
described
results
dissimilar
metal
combination
relative
surface
nickel-to-iron
electrochemical
relationship
presence
graphite
materials
prevent
galvanic
corrosion
cast iron
heat treatment
nuclear waste
waste package
thermal effects
waste container
heat treatments
waste packages
similar metal
iron nuclear
/220/148/228/250/376/403/428/976/