Session: Corrosion and Material Protection in Nuclear Systems
3013 Container Inner Surface Changes After Exposure in Boiling Magnesium Chloride Solution (C2026-00268)
Monday, March 16, 2026
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Central
Location: 371 DE
Earn .5 PDH
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The 3013-container package is used to store plutonium-bearing materials at the Savannah River Site. The package consists of three nested containers: outer, inner, and convenience. The inner container, which is made from flowformed 304L stainless steel and is welded shut, has been considered susceptible to environmentally assisted cracking or other types of localized corrosion. Through-wall damage is a potential problem since it can allow radioactive material release. For this work, inner container surfaces were exposed to boiling magnesium solution to induce cracking as a worst-case scenario. Surface images were taken using a Laser Confocal Microscope (LCM) prior to exposure and after several predetermined exposure times to see how the surface changes. The surfaces will be compared to those of other exposed 304L stainless steel samples, including tensile specimens. Additionally, a comparison will be made between welded and unwelded flowformed material. Imaging results will help determine if the material is more susceptible to cracking than other forms and if it can become an area of concern under appropriate conditions that could develop into a through-wall scenario.
