The dissolution of simulant UK Ca/Zn-modified nuclear waste glass: Insight into Stage III behavior. (2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fisher, Adam J.; Harrison, Mike T.; Hyatt, Neil C.; Hand, Russell J.; Corkhill, Claire L.
• Is Part Of: MRS advances. Volume 5:Number 3/4(2020)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 109
• Publication Date: 2020
• Subjects: glass, -- corrosion, -- nuclear materials, -- Zn, -- Mg; Electrical engineering -- Congresses; Physics -- Congresses; Materials -- Research -- Congresses; Materials science -- Congresses; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1557/adv.2020.50
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2059-8521

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The dissolution of the United Kingdom's vitrified high-level-waste simulant, CaZn MW28, was investigated following the Product Consistency Test-B protocol for 112 d at 90 ° C and in ultra-high-quality water. Residual rate dissolution (stage II) and rate resumption (stage III), after 28 d, was observed. Thermodynamic modelling suggested that solutions were saturated with respect to Mg- and Zn-bearing phases, and the presence of Mg- and Zn-smectite clays was tentatively observed. The formation of these phases was concurrent with a significant increase in the dissolution rate, similar to Stage III behavior seen in other nuclear waste simulant glass materials, indicating that the addition of Mg and Zn to high-level-waste glass (7.3 wt. % combined) significantly influences the dissolution rate.