Preliminary investigation on atmospheric-induced stress corrosion cracking of British intermediate level nuclear waste containers: Residual stress analysis and four point bend exposure test

There are approximately 45,000 Intermediate Level Nuclear Waste (ILW) containers currently stored in the UK at Sellafield and elsewhere. These stainless steels containers should last up to 150 years of surface storage. In this study the general structural integrity of 500L ILW containers were investigated. The associated degradation issue under ambient conditions known as atmospheric-induced stress corrosion cracking (AISCC) has been studied. Preliminary investigation included profiling of residual stress distribution in parent and weld specimens, atmospheric exposure testing under various salts. So far residual stress profile shows high degree of complexity. No cracks have been observed until this moment in time.