| Abstract: |
The major component of the Swedish system for managing and disposing of radioactive waste is the copper canister. The canister (5m long, 1m diameter) containing the nuclear waste needs to remain intact for 100,000 years and a corrosion barrier of 50mm thick copper and a cast iron insert for mechanical strength are used to meet this requirement. Two welding processes, Friction Stir Welding and Electron Beam Welding, have been developed to seal the canisters. The development program confirms that one of the processes can consistently seal 50mm thick copper canisters without creating defects. Simultaneously to the welding development, three non-destructive testing methods, ultrasonic, X-ray and eddy-current, have been developed.
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