Simulation of the state of carbon steel n years after disposal with n years of corrosion product on its surface in a bentonite environment

The use of bentonite as buffer and carbon steel as overpack material for the geological disposal of nuclear waste is under investigation. To better assess the long term integrity of the carbon steel overpack, a quantitative analysis of the corrosion behavior on the steel surface for time frames beyond that of feasible empirical determination is required. The state n years after disposal, consisting of Carbon Steel/Corrosion products + Bentonite/Water, was simulated and the corrosion behavior of the carbon steel in this state investigated. The following facts became apparent. Both the corrosion rate and the non-uniformity of it increased with increase in the corrosion product content in the compacted bentonite. When the corrosion product layer was formed between the carbon steel and the bentonite, it enabled the corrosion potential and increased the corrosion rate