Materials issues in nuclear-waste management

Abstract

In this article, materials issues in the management of nuclear waste, including its generation, processing, storage, transport, and disposal, are examined for low-level and high-level waste, with an emphasis on the aspects of their immobilization and long-term isolation. Selecting materials for low-level and high-level waste form and containers is reviewed, and the long-term performance issues with these materials as barriers to nuclide migration or release are discussed.