Quintessa

Metal Corrosion Processes

Radioactive waste in steel containers/overpacks needs to be stored safely in surface stores, and during the operational and post-closure periods of geological repositories.

In support of this goal, Quintessa has:

  • Reviewed failure mechanisms of stainless steel and carbon steel (and other metals);
  • Developed software (ACSIS) to assess the potential extent of localised corrosion and stress corrosion cracking under atmospheric conditions; and
  • Modelled the formation of iron-rich clay minerals at the interface between corroding steel and clay barriers, or corroding steel and clay-rich rock, and its subsequent impact upon hydraulic properties.