Publications Details

Impact of atmospherically deposited salts on the localized corrosion performance of materials used for the interim storage of used nuclear fuel

Enos, David E.; Bryan, Charles R.

For the interim storage of used nuclear fuel, the storage casks/containers will be exposed to conditions under which considerable dust and/or atmospheric aerosols may be deposited on the surface. These dust layers may contain a sizeable portion of water soluble salts, particularly in marine environments where many interim storage systems are located. These soluble salts will deliquesce if sufficient moisture is present, resulting in the formation of potentially corrosive brine on the material surface. Experimental results have illustrated that some stainless steels, such as 304SS (a common material of construction for interim storage containers) can and will undergo localized corrosion in elevated temperature conditions where a chloride rich brine has formed on the surface. Results presented here illustrate that it is possible that stifling of localized attack will result when limited reactant is present, but additional analysis is necessary before a definite conclusion can be made.