Selection of metallic materials for deep geological disposal of HLW

Deep geological disposal is the internationally accepted technique for definitive isolation of nuclear spent fuel and other HLW from the biosphere. This technique is based on the multibarrier concept, some natural, others man-made. The geosphere is the main natural barrier, and among the man-made ones the metallic container is the most important. The container has to provide the required mechanical resistance for transportation and confinement capacity during the required service time. The most foreseen container failure mechanism is due to corrosion phenomena; so the material in which the container is going to be constructed and its behavior against corrosion is of prime importance in order to ensure the required lifetime for the radioactive decay of the waste.