Potential Uses of Lead in Nuclear Waste Disposal

by F. E. Goodwin, Research Organization Inc, Research Triangle Park, United States,
K. H. Pool, Research Organization Inc, Research Triangle Park, United States,
R. E. Westerman, Research Organization Inc, Research Triangle Park, United States,
S. G. Pitman, Research Organization Inc, Research Triangle Park, United States,
M. R. Telander, Research Organization Inc, Research Triangle Park, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: High Level Radioactive Waste Management 1991

Abstract:

In order for lead to be considered as a nuclear waste packaging material, it must be shown that it has adequate corrosion resistance, and that it does not degrade the properties of other important structural or barrier elements in the waste package. The present work focused on determining a) the corrosion resistance of commercial purity (CP) lead and a Pb-1.5% Sb alloy in irradiated, elevated-temperature tuff ground water environments; b) the resistance of alloy 825, a candidate container alloy, to embrittlement by molten lead; and c) the resistance of lead and the Pb-Sb alloy to localized (pitting, crevice) corrosion. The test results support the feasibility of using lead in nuclear waste containers.

Subject Headings: Waste disposal | Radioactive wastes | Recycling | Lead (chemical) | Corrosion | Alloys | Load and resistance factor design

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