The Corrosion Behaviour of Copper Under Simulated Nuclear Waste Repository Conditions

King, P. J.; Lam, Ko; Dautovich, D.P.

doi:10.1179/cmq.1983.22.1.125

Cited by 9 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Under these conditions, corrosion will lead to the formation of oxide layers on the Cu surface. [ 12,13 ] Presently available information indicates that the maximum depth of container corrosion due to O 2 consumption will be limited to 298 µm, as calculated using mass balance, conservatively assuming the corrosion product to be Cu 2 O only. Additionally, oxidants produced by H 2 O radiolysis could result in a further 10–30 µm penetration of the Cu coating.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The transition from used fuel container corrosion under oxic conditions to corrosion in an anoxic environment

Salehi Alaei,

Guo,

Chen

et al. 2023

Materials & Corrosion

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The conversion of copper oxide films on copper to copper sulfide has been investigated in sulfide‐containing chloride solutions. Single‐phase Cu2O films and duplex films consisting of Cu2O and CuO, and possibly Cu(OH)2, were prepared electrochemically on copper specimens at various applied potentials and characterized using Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X‐ray analyses. The surface condition of the specimens subsequently exposed to a solution containing sulfide was monitored by measuring the corrosion potential (Ecorr) for various exposure periods, then cathodic stripping voltammetry was performed. Cuprite (Cu2O) was observed to be converted to Cu2S by chemical reaction with sulfide, while the conversion mechanism for the mixed deposit could comprise a galvanic process involving CuII reduction coupled to the formation of Cu2S by the reaction of sulfide with copper within pores in the Cu2O/CuO surface film and a chemical conversion of Cu2O to Cu2S. Cupric hydroxide was not converted to Cu2S on the time scale (24 h) of these experiments.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The transition from used fuel container corrosion under oxic conditions to corrosion in an anoxic environment

Salehi Alaei,

Guo,

Chen

et al. 2023

Materials & Corrosion

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“…Since copper is the only absolute barrier preventing the release of radionuclides in the case of Swedish/Finnish, Canadian, and other world's high‐level radioactive waste disposal programs (including Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Switzerland), the corrosion of copper has been studied extensively in various environments and conditions simulating various times after emplacement. [ 1–11 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[ 2 ] Upon sealing, a limited amount of air becomes trapped in the repository, in the low‐permeability groundwater‐saturated bentonite surrounding the container. [ 1 ] This O 2 is then consumed by various reactions and also by corrosion of the copper container. The time for the predicted O 2 concentration to decrease to 1% of the initial level ranged between 10 and 300 years in deep geological repository (DGR) in granite rock [ 2 ] and 40 and additional 30 years in the case of DGR in opalinus clay.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Monitoring the galvanic corrosion of copper–steel coupling in bentonite slurry during the early oxic phase using coupled multielectrode arrays

Kosec

Hren

Prijatelj

et al. 2023

Materials & Corrosion

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In the case of a two‐part container for spent nuclear fuel, consisting of an iron‐based inner structure with a copper coating, the potential perforation of copper through minor damage may result in intensive galvanic corrosion between copper and steel. The present work focuses on the corrosion of steel galvanically coupled to copper and exposed to a slightly saline environment under oxic conditions. The electrochemical processes on individual electrodes were monitored by coupled multielectrode arrays (CMEAs). The CMEAs were either in contact with groundwater saturated with bentonite or immersed in groundwater only. Very high galvanic corrosion currents were detected between carbon steel and pure copper in the early oxic phase. Additionally, the use of CMEAs further made it possible to monitor the distribution of cathodic currents around the steel electrode, which behaved anodically. Various microscopy and spectroscopy techniques were applied to identify the modes of corrosion and the type of corrosion products present at the end of the period of exposure.

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“…The primary corrosion mechanism expected to affect copper canisters in a KBS-3-type repository for spent nuclear fuel is general corrosion. [1][2][3][4] Corrosion, of course, will not be perfectly uniform and some degree of localisation is expected. The manner in which this localised attack has been treated in canister lifetime assessments has changed over the years as our understanding of the nature of the near-field environment and of the associated corrosion processes has developed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Localised corrosion of copper canisters

King¹,

Lilja

2014

Corrosion Engineering, Science and Technology

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Copper canisters in a KBS-3-type underground repository will be subject to general corrosion and minor localised attack. The form of the localised corrosion will depend on the composition of the bentonite pore water in contact with the canister surface and, in particular, the pH and chloride, sulphate, and bicarbonate ion concentrations. The presence of a passive Cu 2 O/Cu(OH) 2 layer is a pre-requisite for film breakdown and pitting. Literature pitting data have been used to determine whether pitting is possible or whether the environmental conditions will favour active dissolution of the canister. It is concluded that the canister surface will corrode generally and will be subject to only minor localised corrosion in the form of surface roughening.

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The Corrosion Behaviour of Copper Under Simulated Nuclear Waste Repository Conditions

Cited by 9 publications

References 5 publications

The transition from used fuel container corrosion under oxic conditions to corrosion in an anoxic environment

The transition from used fuel container corrosion under oxic conditions to corrosion in an anoxic environment

Monitoring the galvanic corrosion of copper–steel coupling in bentonite slurry during the early oxic phase using coupled multielectrode arrays

Localised corrosion of copper canisters

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