Abstract
Radioactive wastes from the processing of nuclear materials used for weapons production have been stored in underground carbon steel tanks for the past several decades. The waste solutions are a complex mixture of a variety of anionic and cationic species, dominated by sodium nitrates, nitrites, and hydroxide. It has been well established that localized corrosion and stress corrosion cracking of carbon steel can occur in these solutions above certain critical potentials that are determined by the anionic species and temperature. Recent studies have shown that the corrosion potential increases significantly over a period of weeks to months, such that there is a concern about exceeding the critical potentials under natural conditions of exposure. This paper discusses the evolution of the corrosion potential of steel in alkaline solutions (pH >11) in comparison to the critical potentials. The impedance behavior of the steel in these solutions shows changes in the semi-conductive behavior over time as well as the density of charge carriers that may influence the evolution of corrosion potential. The effect of the changes in corrosion potential on localized corrosion and stress corrosion cracking is discussed.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
