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Destruction of Micro-crystal Containing Wasteforms by Charge-induced Crystal Shape Change on Self-irradiation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 December 2016

Michael I. Ojovan*
Affiliation:
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna International Centre, Vienna, 1400, Austria
Boris E. Burakov
Affiliation:
V.G. Khlopin Radium Institute, 28, 2-nd Murinskiy ave., St. Petersburg, 194021Russia
William E. Lee
Affiliation:
Centre for Nuclear Engineering and Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, U.K.
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Abstract

Mechanical damage of non-metallic nuclear wasteforms can be caused by electrical fields induced by decaying clusters of radionuclides surrounded by an insulating matrix. We assess the electric fields near clusters with decaying radionuclides 244Cm, 241Am, 238,239Pu and 137Cs in a glass matrix determining that matrix destruction can gradually occur via electric breakdown discharges and diffusion-controlled change in form of clusters. The most important parameters that control potential matrix destruction are the radioactive cluster (inhomogeneity) size, radionuclide specific radioactivity and effective electrical conductivity of the matrix.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2016 

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References

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