Quality assurance aspects in using ductile cast iron for transportation casks
As part of a DOE base technology program, Sandia is assessing the applicability of using ductile cast iron (DCI) in transport casks. The methodology being used in this evaluation is based on fundamental fracture mechanics. This paper will describe the technical issues addressed in the Sandia program and how they relate to quality assurance. Results of experimental work, which relate fracture toughness to material microstructure, will be presented. To date, ferritic materials (including DCI) have not been certified for this application. The principal issue in using ferritic materials is that they can (under certain combined mechanical and environmental conditions) fail in a low energy, brittle type fashion, particularly in the vicinity of a flaw. Also, for thick-walled castings, inevitable variability in material microstructure results in mechanical property variability. To qualify this material for use in transport casks, it is necessary to demonstrate not only that the possibility of brittle fracture is precluded, but also that the results are repeatable. This is, the development approach (design, fabrication, and testing) used for a prototype cask for proof tests must be transferable to each production cask.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5364810
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-87-2718C; CONF-880354-3; ON: DE88007110
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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