Corrosion of carbon steel in physically constrained locations in High level nuclear waste isolation systems

Abstract A method for calculating porosity of the corrosion product on the canister and of the engineered barriers (concrete) in the disposal of HLNW in Belgium supercontainer has been developed. The porosity of the rust is predicted to decrease substantially, such that the growth of the outer layer ceases and further corrosion is prevented. The decrease in the porosity of concrete is less than the decrease in the porosity of the rust. This is the consequence of the different thicknesses of the rust and concrete layers and different mechanical properties of the materials.