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Nepheline Crystallization in High-Alumina High-Level Waste Glass

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 April 2015

José Marcial
Affiliation:
School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering & Materials Science and Engineering Program, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-2920, USA
John McCloy
Affiliation:
School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering & Materials Science and Engineering Program, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-2920, USA
Owen Neill
Affiliation:
Peter Hooper GeoAnalytical Laboratory, School of the Environment Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-2812, USA
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Abstract

The understanding of the crystallization of aluminosilicate phases in nuclear waste glasses is a major challenge for nuclear waste vitrification. Robust studies on the compositional dependence of nepheline formation have focused on large compositional spaces with hundreds of glass compositions. However, there are clear benefits to obtaining complete descriptions of the conditions under which crystallization occurs for specific glasses, adding to the understanding of nucleation and growth kinetics and interfacial conditions. The focus of this work was the investigation of the microstructure and composition of one simulant high-level nuclear waste glass crystallized under isothermal and continuous cooling schedules. It was observed that conditions of low undercooling, nepheline was the most abundant aluminosilicate phase. Further undercooling led to the formation of additional phases such as calcium phosphate. Nepheline composition was independent of thermal history.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2015 

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References

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