Localization of Plastic Deformation in Copper Canisters for Spent Nuclear Fuel

Localization of plastic deformation in different parts (extruded and forged base materials as well as EB and FSW welds) of the corrosion barrier copper canister for final disposal of spent nuclear fuel was studied using tensile testing, optical strain measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD). Results show that in the base materials plastic deformation occurs very uniformly. In FSW welds the deformation localizes in the weld either at the processing line or at a line of entrapped oxide particles. In EB welds the deformation localizes to the equally oriented large grains at the weld centreline or at the steep grain size gradient in the fusion line.