ABSTRACT

Some U.S. nuclear power plants are storing spent nuclear fuel in dry cask storage systems (DCSS). In many cases, the DCSS consists of a metal storage canister inside a concrete vault or overpack for radiation shielding. Most canisters are made of austenitic stainless steel, including UNS S30400 (304 SS). The concrete vault or overpack is vented to the atmosphere for passive cooling, allowing interaction between the canister and the ambient environment. In coastal environments, airborne salts could deposit and accumulate on the surface of the canisters over time. Deliquescence of these salts in a humid environment could create a chloride-rich brine on the canister surface. This, in addition to the presence of residual tensile stresses, could make the canister susceptible to chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking.

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