Abstract
This paper summarises recent experimental results from a programme that was carried out to investigate the effects of radiation on the anaerobic corrosion of carbon steel, in relation to the overpack that will be used in the Belgian supercontainer concept for radioactive waste disposal. Anaerobic corrosion rates of carbon steel were measured by monitoring hydrogen evolution using manometric gas cells and an autoclave and the corresponding electrochemical behaviour was investigated by measuring open circuit potential, linear polarisation resistance and alternating current impedance. The test medium was alkaline simulated pore water, at γ-irradiation dose rates of 0 and 25 Gy h−1, temperatures of 25 and 80°C and chloride concentrations of 0 and 100 mg L−1. The anaerobic corrosion rates exhibited a slow decline due to the formation of magnetite. Good agreement was found with weight loss measurements. A dose rate of 25 Gy h−1 had a negligible effect on gas generation rates.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.