Microstructural characterization of copper coatings for used nuclear fuel containers

加拿大计划最终储存来自加拿大各地运营的CANDU反应堆船队的用过的核燃料，这是一个深层地质储存库(DGR)。负责设计和实施DGR的是核废物管理组织(NWMO)，这是一个向加拿大自然资源部长报告的非营利性组织。NWMO目前正在实施最终核废料储存的自适应阶段管理(APM)计划。废物储存中最关键的部件之一--二手燃料容器(UFC)目前正在由NWMO开发。该容器由高强度钢制容器组成，表面涂覆铜，可长期(例如100万年)耐腐蚀。NWMO已经确定了应用过程中的两种涂层技术：电沉积(ED)铜和冷喷涂(CS)铜。目前，NWMO有几个研究项目，评估ED和CS-铜的长期腐蚀和机械性能。深入研究ED和CS铜的微观结构特征，有助于全面了解这些材料的微观结构--腐蚀/力学性能之间的关系。**在这项研究中，NWMO将向多伦多大学提供几节UFC材料，这些材料是由NWMO与其合作伙伴密西索加的Integran Technologies Inc.和加拿大国家研究委员会(加拿大国家研究委员会，昆士兰)合作制造的全尺寸原型。在该大学，将使用最先进的电子显微镜表征工具来揭示可能影响UFC长期腐蚀性能的微观结构特征。本研究将为4名研究生和1名博士后提供培训机会。它将极大地促进铜涂层微观结构及其对作为旧核燃料容器工程防腐屏障性能的影响领域的知识的发展。**********

Canada's plan for the final storage of used nuclear fuel from the fleet of CANDU reactors operated across Canada is a Deep Geological Repository (DGR). Responsible for designing and implementing the DGR is the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), a not-for-profit organization reporting to the Minister of Natural Resources of Canada. NWMO is now implementing the Adaptive Phase Management (APM) plan for final nuclear waste storage. One of the most critical components in the waste storage, the Used Fuel Container (UFC), is currently under development by NWMO. This container consists of a high strength steel vessel coated with copper for long-term (e.g. 1 million years) corrosion resistance. NWMO has identified two coating technologies for the application process: electrodeposited (ED) copper and cold-spray (CS) copper. Currently NWMO has several research programs which assess the long-term corrosion and mechanical properties of ED and CS-copper. The research proposed here on a deep microstructural characterization of ED and CS copper is in support of developing a comprehensive understanding of microstructure-corrosion/mechanical property relationships for these materials. **For this study, NWMO will provide the University of Toronto with several sections of UFC material cut from full-sized prototypes fabricated by NWMO in collaboration with their partners Integran Technologies Inc., Mississauga, ON and the National Research Council of Canada, Boucherville, QC. At the University state-of-the art electron microscopy characterization tools will be used to reveal the microstructural features that potentially could affect the long-term corrosion performance of the UFC. This research will provide training opportunities for 4 graduate students and 1 postdoctoral fellow. It will contribute significantly to the advancement of knowledge in the field of copper coating microstructures and their effects on performance as an engineered corrosion barrier for used nuclear fuel containers. **********