Effects of Surface Chromium Depletion on Localized Corrosion of Alloy 825 as a High-Level Nuclear Waste Container Material

CORROSION ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 618-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. S. Dunn ◽  
N. Sridhar ◽  
G. A. Cragnolino
1995 ◽  
Vol 412 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. S. Dunn ◽  
Y.-M. Pan ◽  
G. A. Cragnolino ◽  
N. Sridhar

AbstractThe thermal exposure of Fe-Cr-Ni-Mo materials to certain temperature regimes often results in the formation of grain boundary carbides and the associated depletion of alloying elements. This phenomenon, termed sensitization, is frequently the result of welding processes or in service exposure to elevated temperatures. In this investigation, alloy 825, a candidate high-level nuclear waste (HLW) container material, was thermally exposed to temperatures in the range of 550 to 800 °C for periods of up to 1,000 hr. Sensitization of the material was evaluated by corrosion tests and grain boundary analyses using an analytical electron microscope. The sensitized microstructure was found to contain M23C6-type carbides as well as a Cr-depleted region in the vicinity of the grain boundaries. The degree of sensitization was correlated to the extent of Cr depletion in the grain boundary region.


1994 ◽  
Vol 353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narasi Sridhar ◽  
Darrell Dunn ◽  
Gustavo Cragnolino

AbstractLocalized corrosion in aqueous environments forms an important bounding condition for the performance assessment of high-level waste (HLW) container materials. A predictive methodology using repassivation potential is examined in this paper. It is shown, based on long-term (continuing for over 11 months) testing of alloy 825, that repassivation potential of deep pits or crevices is a conservative and robust parameter for the prediction of localized corrosion. In contrast, initiation potentials measured by short-term tests are non-conservative and highly sensitive to several surface and environmental factors. Corrosion data from various field tests and plant equipment performance are analyzed in terms of the applicability of repassivation potential. The applicability of repassivation potential for predicting the occurrence of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and intergranular corrosion in chloride containing environments is also examined.


1999 ◽  
Vol 556 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. S. Dunn ◽  
G. A. Cragnolino ◽  
N. Sridhar

AbstractFor the geologic disposal of the high level nuclear waste (HLW), aqueous corrosion is considered to be the most important factor in the long-term performance of containers, which are the main components of the engineered barrier subsystem. Container life, in turn, is important to the overall performance of the repository system. The proposed container designs and materials have evolved to include multiple barriers and highly corrosion resistant Ni-Cr-Mo alloys, such as Alloys 625 and C-22. Calculations of container life require knowledge of the initiation time and growth rate of localized corrosion. In the absence of localized corrosion, the rate of general or uniform dissolution, given by the passive current density of these materials, is needed. The onset of localized corrosion may be predicted by using the repassivation and corrosion potentials of the candidate container materials in the range of expected repository environments. In initial corrosion tests, chloride was identified as the most detrimental anionic species to the performance of Ni-Cr-Mo alloys. Repassivation potential measurements for Alloys 825, 625, and C-22, conducted over a wide range of chloride concentrations and temperatures, are reported. In addition, steady state passive current density, which will determine the container lifetime in the absence of localized corrosion, was measured for Alloy C-22 under various environmental conditions.


1990 ◽  
Vol 212 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Sridhar ◽  
G. Cragnolino ◽  
W. Machowski

ABSTRACTThe effect of environmental variables on the localized corrosion behavior of alloy 825 is examined in this paper. Cyclic, potentiodynamic polarization tests based on a two-level, full factorial experimental design were conducted. An index incorporating both the visual and scanning electron microscope examinations of localized corrosion and the electrochemical parameters was used for the statistical analysis. The analysis showed that chloride is the single most important promoter of localized corrosion, while nitrate was the single most important inhibitor. Fluoride was a weak inhibitor, especially at low chloride levels. Sulfate was a weak promoter, especially at high chloride levels. Temperature did not have a significant effect within the chloride levels examined. Separate experiments indicated that silicon, added as metasilicate, did not have any significant effect on localized corrosion. The adverse effect of chloride was observed at concentrations as low as 100 ppm. Addition of H2O2 increased the corrosion potential of alloy 825 to a value above the repassivation potential observed in the 300 ppm chloride solution.


1986 ◽  
Vol 84 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. G. Pitman

AbstractIn current conceptual designs, a mild steel (ASTM A?16 Grade WCA) is the relerence container material for use in high level nuclear waste packages intended for emplacement in a salt repository. The resistance of the steel to stress corrosion crackinq (SCC) is being investigated as part of the effort underway to verify the suitability of the material for waste package applications. Static tests (U-bend and bolt-loaded fracture toughness specimens) and dynamic tests (slow strain rate and corrosion fatigue) were conducted on both as-cast and weldment specimens of the material, in both low-Mg and high-Mg halite-saturated brines, in the temperature range of 90 to 200°C. The investigations indicate that the steel is not susceptible to SCC under the test conditions employed.


1990 ◽  
Vol 212 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Daniel McCright

ABSTRACTCandidate container materials for high-level nuclear waste packages to be emplaced at the proposed Yucca Mountain repository site are being considered for their long-term resistance to corrosion, oxidation, embrittlement and other kinds of degradation. Selection criteria have been established, and a method has been developed for recommending a material for advanced container design activities. An extensive compilation of the degradation phenomena for six candidate materials is complete, and further studies have begun on the degradation modes affecting additional candidate materials. Phenomenological models for predicting container degradation rates are being advanced for environmental conditions applicable to Yucca Mountain. An experimental program is underway to evaluate the susceptibility of container materials to localized corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, and enhancement of corrosion and oxidation attack by gamma radiation. Initial evaluations of container fabrication and welding processes have identified some processes that appear to alleviate some long-term corrosion susceptibility concerns.


Author(s):  
Lana L. Wong ◽  
John C. Estill ◽  
David V. Fix ◽  
Rau´l B. Rebak

Yucca Mountain (Nevada) is designated as a high-level nuclear waste repository. The nuclear waste will be isolated by a series of engineered barriers. The metallic engineered barriers will consist of a double-wall container with a detached drip shield. The material for the external wall of the container is Alloy 22, a corrosion-resistant Ni-Cr-Mo alloy. Titanium grade 7 has been proposed for the drip shield. Ti alloys are highly resistant to all forms of corrosion due to the formation of a stable, protective and strongly adherent oxide film. The aim of this research was to characterize the general and localized corrosion behavior of Ti Gr 7, 16 and 12 in simulated concentrated ground waters. Welded and non-welded coupons were exposed for up to 5 years to the vapor and liquid phases of acidic and alkaline multi-ionic solutions at 60°C and 90°C. This paper describes the results obtained after approximately 2-1/2- to 5-1/2-year exposure to the testing electrolyte solutions. In general, the highest corrosion rate was obtained for Ti Gr 12; however, in all of the tested conditions, the corrosion rate was generally lower than 100 nm/yr. For all alloys, the highest corrosion rate was obtained in the concentrated alkaline solution.


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