The Importance Of Microstructural Characterization Of Copper Coatings On Used Fuel Containers For Long-Term Disposal Of Canada's Nuclear Waste

Abstract

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has proposed the concept of an engineered barrier system for the disposal of Canada's used nuclear fuel. A major component is the used fuel container consisting of a steel structural core coated with copper for corrosion protection. The NMWO is currently pursuing a program to characterize the copper coatings for performance evaluation. Electron backscattered diffraction on electrodeposited copper and reference wrought copper showed significant differences in grain size/shape, distribution, and texture. Focused ion beam microscopy revealed good bonding between steel and copper.