Modeling pitting corrosion damage of high-level radioactive-waste containers using a stochastic approach

Stochastic models of pitting corrosion have been explored and found to be potentially useful in predicting damage of high-level radioactive waste containers. These computer models include simple phenomenological relationships describing the environmental dependence of the stochastic parameters, and can simulate pit initiation and growth under various environments, including those that change during exposure. Equally important, the models provide quantitative information that would be useful to performance assessment codes for the entire waste repository system. Valuable insights into the mechanisms of pit initiation and growth also have resulted from this research. Finally, comparisons between the stochastic and mechanistic approaches to modeling pitting, and directions for future research are discussed. (orig.)