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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Effect of galvanic coupling between overpack materials for high-level nuclear waste containers

Conference ·
OSTI ID:350107
; ;  [1]
  1. Southwest Research Inst., San Antonio, TX (United States). Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses
The effect of environmental parameters and area ratio on the galvanic protection of Alloy 825 by A516 steel was studied. A simplified model was used to calculate the potential and corrosion current density of the bimetallic couple as a function of the galvanic coupling efficiency. Galvanic corrosion tests were performed to gain confidence in the calculated values. Both the calculations and laboratory testing indicate that, with highly efficient coupling, the potential of the galvanic couple is maintained below the repassivation potential for Alloy 825 in chloride-containing solutions. As a result, the initiation of localized corrosion on Alloy 825 is prevented. The formation of oxides, scales, and corrosion product layers between the barriers is shown to reduce the efficiency of the galvanic couple, which may result in conditions under which the localized corrosion of the inner corrosion resistant barrier can occur.
OSTI ID:
350107
Report Number(s):
CONF-980316--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English