Electrochemical corrosion of electrodes in a simulated nuclear waste glass melt

摘要

Corrosion of potential candidate electrode materials, molybdenum and tantalum, in a simulated nuclear waste glass melt was investigated using electrochemical (dc-powered) and non-powered tests. Electrochemical corrosion data showed that tantalum was more corrosion-resistant than molybdenum in this melt. Tantalum also showed passivation. The non-powered test data showed that tantalum corroded more than molybdenum. This was attributed to penetration of protective passivation layer at the tantalum-glass interface by the glass melt. Microstructural features and chemistry across selected electrode-glass interfacial regions supported these results.