Corrosion of glass used for radioactive waste disposal influenced by iron corrosion products

Abstract

Iron corrosion products of the steel canister in the nuclear waste container are highly silica sorptive materials and very much expected to delay formation of the protective layer (gel) on the nuclear glass interface. This study is focusing on the role of the iron carbonates (ankerite), which is probably one of iron corrosion products and already exists in the clay structure of the disposal depth. Simulating nuclear borosilicate glass samples (alternative to the R7T7-type) samples are planned to leach in different series of experimental models with dissimilar quantities of ankerite. Batch experiments all will be cultivated in synthetic groundwater; where different pH (4-9) values and temperatures (35, 50, 90 °C) are considered. In this paper the state of the art of the radioactive waste glass corrosion in the circumstances of deep geological disposal will focus on the role of ankerite as one of the iron corrosion products and clarify how it is expected to show delay in achieving the Si saturation status and accelerate glass alterations.