High-level nuclear waste form performance evaluation

A quantitative evaluation method was used to rate seven candidate waste forms for the immobilization and geologic disposal of high-level radioactive wastes. Performance data for leach resistance, impact resistance, and waste loading were compared for waste forms containing simulated Savannah River Plant defense high-level wastes, the first high-level wastes that will be immobilized in the United States. The evaluation method and its results, the type and sources of data, and future requirements for waste form evaluation are discussed.