Atmospheric Corrosion and Stress Corrosion Cracking of Corrosion Resistant Alloys Used for Dry Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel

Spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in the United States is stored onsite at the commercial reactors where it is generated. The dry storage systems consist of welded 304/316 stainless steel canisters enclosed in passively-ventilated concrete overpacks. The ambient cooling air comes from the surrounding environment and contains typical atmospheric aerosols, including chloride-rich salts (e.g. Cl - ), which accumulate on the storage canister surface over...