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Aluminum impact of the alteration of silicate glasses: towards a better understanding of the mechanisms at play using simple glasses


EMSL Project ID
51250

Abstract

Understanding alteration mechanisms of borosilicate glasses in aqueous media is essential to nuclear waste performance assessments to ensure radioisotopes are contained for extended periods of time. Al is typically added to glass compositions to reduce alteration. However, previous work has suggested that Al has a non-linear relationship with alteration, where glasses with extremely low or high concentrations of Al alter more significantly than glasses with moderate to moderately low concentrations of Al. To further investigate the effect of aluminum on glass durability, two series of glasses were designed using International Simple Glass (ISG) as a base. One series of glasses was created by exchanging Al at the expense of Si and the other created by exchanging Al and Na at the expense of Si. The glasses were altered in static dissolution tests at 90°C in deionized water for seven days to 2 years. The study encompasses: 1/ work on unaltered samples to understand the change in structural properties of the glasses as function of Al concentration, and 2/ evaluation of the nature and properties of the alteration products formed during short and long-term testing as a function of structural and composition changes in the glass.

Project Details

Start Date
2019-12-19
End Date
2020-09-30
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Benjamin PG Parruzot
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Team Members

Joelle Reiser
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory