The primary goal of this research was to elucidate the key influences of the alloying elements in Ni-Cr-Mo alloys on their electrochemical behaviour. Two alloys, varying in Cr and Mo content, were studied in deaerated 5 M NaCl solutions. As indicated in Figure 1, potentiostatic polarization followed by electrochemical impedance...Read More
Titanium alloys are highly corrosion resistant under oxidizing conditions, but can suffer crevice corrosion at elevated temperatures (>70°C) if the surface is occluded by another material, such as a deposit, a poor weld or a crack. The conditions which develop within a crevice are such that, in the event of...Read More
This recent research project was designed to investigate the influence of carbonate/bicarbonate, the key groundwater constituents likely to influence fuel dissolution inside a failed nuclear waste disposal container, on the reactivity of different uranium oxide (UO2) specimens. A cyclic voltammetric (CV) study of doped UO2 (Dy-UO2, Gd-UO2, 1.5 at% SIMFUEL...Read More
The proposed Canadian container for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel consists of a dual wall comprised of an outer shell of copper over an inner low alloy steel vessel. Because of manufacturing and fabrication challenges for thick-walled containers, a thin-walled alternative design is being developed. Their fabrication involves coating...Read More
SSW has recently upgraded the EDX system on our Hitachi S4500 field emission SEM to a Quartz PCI XOne SSD X-ray analyzer. The system consists of a PulseTor Maxim silicon drift detector (SDD) combined with a Quartz Imaging XOne image and EDX capture software. The state-of-the-art detector is electronically cooled...Read More
The results of various research and analyses carried out at Surface Science Western were on display as part of Western Science`s Interdisciplinary Research Showcase held on December 2, 2014. Research findings from SSW staff and students and a variety of groups that utilize SSW facilities were presented. In this past...Read More
After 27 years with SSW, it is with heavy hearts but warmest wishes that we announce the retirement of Ross Davidson, our Operations Manager, on September 30, 2014. We are indebted to his vision and commitment for propelling us to our present position in this niche industry. His expertise in...Read More
Congratulations to Dr. Matt Asmussen, recent graduate from the Department of Chemistry at Western University, winner of the 2014 Dr. N. Stewart McIntyre Award in Surface Science. Matt’s research focussed on the influence of microstructure on the corrosion of two materials; lightweight Mg alloys and metal alloy nuclear waster forms...Read More
SSW has acquired a Hysitron TI-950 TriboIndenter from the Department of Chemistry, Western University. With the assistance of Professor Emeritus Peter Norton, who was the PI on the NSERC grant application for the initial acquisition of the nanoindenter, we have updated the system with a new stage controller. The instrument...Read More
