Apr 14, 2023
ASTM International’s has developed a standard describing a new technique for measuring the forward rate of glass corrosion.
The new standard details the stirred-reactor coupon analysis (SRCA) method, in which monolithic glass coupons are partially masked with an inert material before undergoing corrosion in a large volume of solution with known chemistry and temperature for pre-determined duration.
After terminating the test, the mask is removed and the step height difference between the protected area under the mask and the exposed corroded portions of the sample coupon is measured to determine the extent of glass dissolution. The step height is converted to a dissolution rate measurement using the test duration and glass density.
“The SRCA method presents many improvements for the measurements of the forward rate dilute conditions, compared with traditional approaches,” says ASTM member Gary Smith, chair, spent fuel and high level waste subcommittee (C26.13). According to Smith, these improvements include:
The committee conducted a round robin study, led by Joe Ryan from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, that included participants from Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, and the United States.
ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. .
Smith says that the subcommittee that developed C1926 invites participation from parties interested in standards that address the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle, including low activity, mixed-waste, and high level wastes, in addition to nuclear fuels. Subcommittee C26.13 will meet from June 4-9 in New Orleans as part of the American Ceramics Society (ACerS) Glass and Optical Materials Division 2023 conference.
To purchase standards, contact ASTM International customer relations (tel +1.877.909.ASTM; sales@astm.org).
May / June 2023