Degradation of International Simple Glass Cracks and Surface. Issue 63 (20th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chinnam, R. K.; Hutchison, C.; Pletser, D.; Lee, W.E.
• Is Part Of: MRS advances. Volume 1:Issue 63/64(2016)
• Page Start: 4215
• Page End: 4220
• Publication Date: 2017-02-20
• Subjects: waste magagement, -- corrosion, -- surface chemistry; Electrical engineering -- Congresses; Physics -- Congresses; Materials -- Research -- Congresses; Materials science -- Congresses; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1557/adv.2017.211
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2059-8521

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Water degradation of glass waste forms has been studied extensively under a variety of conditions including of bulk glass immersed completely in static or dynamic water. In practice, the vitrified nuclear waste cracks as soon as poured into a container because of differences in thermal expansion coefficients. In addition, in repository the canisters may be only partially immersed in water. Later, water condenses on the surface of glass which corrodes releasing ions. In this work experiments have been performed to understand these effects on the degradation of International Simple Glass (ISG). Simulated cracks were found to develop pitting corrosion in the crack openings when tested by immersing ISG in water. Under load, these pits concentrated stress and grew as large planar cracks inside the glass. The condensation of water on glass surfaces leads to formation of pits and growth of calcium silicate crystals.