Welding and Inspection of Nuclear Fuel Waste Disposal Container

Abstract

The Canadian concept for used fuel disposal will probably include a metal container with a lid welded on after filling. This final closure weld must be performed and inspected remotely and reliably. This paper describes the Welding and Remote Inspection programs during the Concept Assessment phase. The welding program has shown that gas-tungsten-arc welding and resistance-heated diffusion bonding are suitable for joining thin titanium. It has also been demonstrated that electron beam welding and gas-metal-arc welding are suitable for joining thick copper. The Remote Inspection program has shown that titanium diffusion bonds are readily inspectable, but fusion welds in other materials may present problems.