Radiation-enhanced corrosion of mild steel
A problem which may be encountered in high-level radioactive waste repositories in geological salt formations is the possibility of groundwater infiltrating the repository, dissolving the salt and forming a corrosive brine solution. This brine may then attack the steel overpack which surrounds the primary waste container. The presence of a high-level gamma radiation field has been known to significantly increase the rate of corrosion. The increased corrosion rate has been attributed to the formation of corrosive, oxidizing radiolysis products. The objective of this research was to study corroded metal surfaces to determine the type of corrosion (uniform, pitting, intergranular, etc.) that is taking place in a radiation field. An understanding of the corroded surface may yield some insight to the mechanisms that contribute to corrosion in a high-level waste repository. Immersion corrosion tests were conducted on Type 1018 mild steel. The steel coupons were immersed in deaerated solutions of sodium chloride and magnesium chloride. The solutions were of various compositions and concentrations ranging from 0% NaCl to 0% MgCl/sub 2/ to saturated solutions. Half of the immersion tests were conducted in a 60 Gy/min (6000 rad/min) /sup 60/Co gamma radiation field. The second half of the samples were placed in a low background area to act as a reference.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville
- OSTI ID:
- 7093501
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-861102-
- Journal Information:
- Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 53; ISSN TANSA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360105 -- Metals & Alloys-- Corrosion & Erosion
360106 -- Metals & Alloys-- Radiation Effects
BRINES
CAVITIES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONTAINERS
CORROSION
DESIGN
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
GROUND WATER
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INTERGRANULAR CORROSION
IRRADIATION
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MICROSCOPY
OXIDATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
PITTING CORROSION
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SALT CAVERNS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SPECIFICATIONS
STANDARDS
TIME DEPENDENCE
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER