Inhibition of Nuclear Waste Glass Leaching by Chemisorption

Abstract

The durability of a simulated nuclear waste containment glass was investigated by static leaching tests in six types of leaching containers. Glass corrosion in lead containers was reduced by more than two orders of magnitude from that measured in Teflon, whereas aluminum containers resulted in nearly a one order of magnitude reduction. Relatively minor effects on glass leaching were measured in copper, tin, and titanium containers. The results have strong implications concerning the choice of materials in possible waste package designs.