The process by which radioactive waste (typically HLW) is immobilised in borosilicate glass.
changing or making into glass or a similar substance, especially through heat fusion
Vitrification is a high temperature process of immobilizing, and chemically incorporating, radioactive and other hazardous wastes. The procedure uses high temperatures (typically between 1100 and 1600 degrees Celsius). At these temperatures, waste material is transformed into an amorphous liquid. On cooling, the vitrification produces an amorphous, glass-like solid that permanently captures the waste.
solidification of a solution without the formation of an ordered crystalline lattice (ice); same as glass formation
a vitrified substance; the glassy result of being vitrified
The formation of glass or a glass-like material, usually by heating to a high temperature. Vitrification is an important step in the sintering of most commercial ceramics. On heating, a small proportion of the ceramic material melts to form a highly viscous liquid, which draws the ceramic particles together during sintering. On cooling, the viscous phase transforms into a glass, which binds the ceramic together.
is the firing of pottery to the point of glossification. This will make it shiny and pretty.
Incorporation of a material into a glass form.
A process that uses glass to encapsulate or agglomerate the plutonium contained in residues or scrub alloy in order to immobilize it.
Stage of firing beginning at 800 C (1472 F.) when the soda and potash within the body start to flux the free silica. The body shrinks during vitrification. Vitrification strengthens the final product by welding the particle size together with glass (mullite) crystals). The furthest stage to which a body can be taken without deformation.
The melting of materials to form a glass; to make or, become glassy.
The condition resulting when kiln temperatures are sufficient to fuse grains and close pores of a clay product, making the mass impervious.
the conversion of clay into a hard glass-like substance by firing it at a high temperature.
Immobilizing liquid and sludge-type waste by incorporating it in molten glass. The process produces a glass-like solid that captures the radioactive materials.
Thermal treatment in which the chemical and physical characteristics of the waste are transformed such that the treated residues containing hazardous material are immobilized in a glass-like mass.
The process, induced by exposure to high heat, by which a material such as a clay or a glaze, melts and fuses together, thereby becoming solid and glass-like. This is what happens to ceramics and glazes during the firing process, and what converts a form made of soluble materials into an insoluble and permanent piece of ceramics. See also firing, glaze.
The progressive fusion of a material or body during the firing process. As vitrification proceeds the proportion of glassy bond increases and the apparent porosity of the fired product becomes progressively lower.
A method of immobilizing waste that produces a glass-like solid that permanently captures the radioactive materials.
The incorporation of high-level wastes into borosilicate glass, to make up about 14% of it by mass. It is designed to immobilise radionuclides in an insoluble matrix ready for disposal.
To change to a glassy state.
To fire to the temperature at which a clay or glaze attains its mature, hard, glass-like quality.
Vitrification is a process of converting a material into a glass-like amorphous solid which is free of any crystalline structure, either by the quick removal or addition of heat, or by mixing with an additive. Solidification of a vitreous solid occurs at the glass transition temperature (which is lower than melting temperature, Tm, due to supercooling).