Microstructural characterization of copper coatings in development for application to used nuclear fuel containers

Li, Weiwei; Yu, Bosco; Tam, Jason; Giallonardo, Jason D.; Doyle, D.; Poirier, Dominique; Legoux, Jean-Gabriel; Ping, Lin; Palumbo, G.; Erb, U.

doi:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2020.152039

Cited by 20 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 49 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Specific details for the CS and ED processes can also be found elsewhere. [ 35 ] Figure 1 shows the microstructure of the ED, AS‐CS, HT‐CS, and a P‐doped oxygen‐free SKB Cu after sequential grinding, polishing, and electropolishing. The latter surface preparation details are also reported elsewhere.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Applying state‐of‐the‐art microscopy techniques to understand the degradation of copper for nuclear waste canisters

Persaud

Binns

Guo

et al. 2023

Materials & Corrosion

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The metallurgy, mechanical properties, and corrosion of Cu, proposed as the corrosion barrier for Canadian used fuel containers (UFCs) for use in a deep geological repository (DGR), have been studied for decades. Bulk properties have been reported, and the knowledge applied to strengthen the performance of Cu produced by electrodeposition and cold spray. Despite this success, many degradation mechanisms are unclear from bulk testing, which cannot capture nanoscale phenomena driving degradation. This study provides examples using state‐of‐the‐art microscopy to understand mechanisms of Cu degradation, specifically for UFCs. Subtle changes in the electrodeposited Cu microstructure due to oxygen segregation are observed using atom probe tomography (APT). In aggressive sulfide‐containing environments, corrosion of the cold‐sprayed Cu occurs along particle–particle interfaces, likely inherent to the manufacturing process. Microscale tensile testing at particle–particle interfaces confirms brittle cracking in the cold‐sprayed Cu. Although experiments are not consistent with DGR conditions, results do warrant further study on the performance of the cold‐sprayed Cu in particular.

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Specific details for the CS and ED processes can also be found elsewhere. [35] Figure 1 shows the microstructure of the ED, AS-CS, HT-CS, and [36] © The Electrochemical Society. Reproduced by permission of IOP Publishing.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applying state‐of‐the‐art microscopy techniques to understand the degradation of copper for nuclear waste canisters

Persaud

Binns

Guo

et al. 2023

Materials & Corrosion

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Several Cu materials relevant to a Canadian DGR were investigated, which include cold‐spray and electrodeposited Cu provided by the NWMO and oxygen‐free, phosphorous‐doped wrought Cu materials provided by the Swedish Nuclear Waste Management Organization, Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB. [ 17 ] Cu coupons were machined to dimensions of approximately 1 cm × 1 cm × 3 mm. Before experiments, coupons were ground with silicon carbide papers with grits P180, P320, P600, P1200, P2500, and P4000 using Type I water as a lubricant.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating the effect of bentonite compaction density and environmental conditions on the corrosion of copper materials

Tully

Binns

Zagidulin

et al. 2023

Materials & Corrosion

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The proposed long‐term management plan for used nuclear fuel is to isolate it within a multiple‐barrier system underground in a deep geological repository (DGR). In the Canadian design, used fuel bundles will be sealed in copper‐coated carbon steel used fuel containers, encased in blocks of bentonite clay, emplaced approximately 500–800 m below ground, and surrounded by a bentonite gapfill material. A laboratory experimental campaign has been undertaken to demonstrate the integrity of the multiple‐barrier system. DGR‐relevant copper materials were embedded in bentonite clay, compacted to various densities, and sealed into a hermetic pressure vessel pressurized with demineralized water. Experiments explored the influence of bentonite compaction in the range of 1100–1600 kg/m3 on copper corrosion over durations of 1–18 months. Postexposure analysis of the copper coupons showed nonhomogeneous corrosion, with corrosion products composed of Cu2O, with some Cu2S. The average corrosion rates decreased as a function of time and increasing bentonite compaction density. In general, we observed that higher bentonite compaction density suppressed the corrosion of embedded copper.

show abstract

“…One current solution for nuclear waste is to bury spent nuclear fuel in deep underground storage [8]. The reactor fuel bundles are packaged in used fuel containers and the copper/carbon steel composite structure is made into a structural containment and then placed in underground rock formations [8, 9]. A few millimetres of copper layer can keep the fuel container intact for 1 million years.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental study of Cu/Fe underwater self-constrained explosive welding tube

Tian

Yang

et al. 2021

Science and Technology of Welding and Joining

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this study, copper/steel composite tubes were produced by an underwater explosive welding process. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron backscatter diffraction and hardness tests were performed to analyse the microstructure and properties of the composite tubes. It was shown that by using an aqueous medium as a constraint, the inner tube cladding surface could be protected, shape distortion was reduced and the stringent requirements on the outer steel die were reduced. The results show that the copper/steel bond interface has a high-strength fine grain layer and that work hardening occurs near the interface after tube lamination.

show abstract

Microstructural characterization of copper coatings in development for application to used nuclear fuel containers

Cited by 20 publications

References 49 publications

Applying state‐of‐the‐art microscopy techniques to understand the degradation of copper for nuclear waste canisters

Applying state‐of‐the‐art microscopy techniques to understand the degradation of copper for nuclear waste canisters

Investigating the effect of bentonite compaction density and environmental conditions on the corrosion of copper materials

Experimental study of Cu/Fe underwater self-constrained explosive welding tube

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About