Radiation Damage in Nuclear Waste Ceramics

The 244 Cm‐doping method was used to evaluate changes in microstructure, crystal structure, density, and stored energy in a nuclear waste glass, a glass‐ceramic, and a predominantly crystalline “supercalcine.” Significant dimensional changes occur in all of the forms. In both of the crystalline materials, the curium‐containing phase becomes X‐ray amorphous after doses >3 × 10 18 α‐decays/cm 3 are absorbed. However, no apparent microstructural changes or loss of integrity occur. In all cases, damage appears to saturate following expected exponential ingrowth curves.