Table 2 Gel thickness obtained at the end of the experiments (83 days) by various methods.

Exp	pH			SEM		ToF-SIMS	ICP
			Large faces	Small polished sides	Small ‘as cut’ sides		ETh (B)	ETh (Na)
			µm	µm	µm	µm	µm	µm
A	9	Non-irradiated	0.65		1–3	0.8	0.99	1.35
B	9	Irradiated	1.85		2–4	1.8	2.8	2.6
C	7	Non-irradiated	4		5–20	3.3	3.8	3.5
D	7	Irradiated	15	5.5		12.6	11.1	10.8
E	3	Non-irradiated	19		22–28	25–30	19.2	22.5
F	3	Irradiated	77	18		70–80	46.7	49.3

Samples were cross-sectionned and observed by SEM. Gel thickness was determined on large faces and small sides (polished and as cut when possible). Uncertainty on SEM measurements is 10%. Gel thickness was also determined by ToF-SIMS performed on large faces based on the B, Na, and H profiles. Uncertainty is around 10%. Mean glass altered thickness was determined from B and Na concentration in the leachates. In this case the surface of glass coupons did not considered roughness of unpolished sides and B, Na retention in the gel. This calculation underestimates of the altered glass thickness.

Quick links

Search