Additive Manufacturing of SS316L on Copper for Radioactive Waste Container Applications

초록

This study investigates the feasibility of applying stainless steel 316L (SS316L) onto copper substrates using Direct Energy Deposition (DED) for potential use in radioactive waste storage canisters. Copper is considered a promising material for long-term containment due to its corrosion resistance, and SS316L offers additional protection in extreme environments. The DED process, using a 4-way nozzle, was employed to deposit SS316L onto carbon steel as a surrogate for copper. The effects of key process parameters, such as laser power, on the microstructure were examined, revealing changes in grain growth behavior. Mechanical performance was evaluated through three-point bending tests and potentiodynamic polarization tests. Results show that optimized DED parameters can produce coatings with desirable mechanical and corrosion-resistant properties. These findings support the potential of additive manufacturing to enhance the durability and functionality of copper-based storage systems for high-level radioactive waste in demanding environments.