NUCLEAR WASTE PROGRAMS SEMIANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT April---September

This semiannual progress report summarizes activities carried out between April and September 1992 in the context of high-level radioactive waste management. The objective of the report is to outline the ongoing research and testing programs related to unsaturated glass behavior under radioactive conditions. Methodologically, the report details a range of tests and analytical studies, including critical reviews of parameters affecting glass reactions, long-term static testing of fully radioactive glass, and the effects of radiation on glass materials. Results indicate significant progress in understanding the interactions of glass with its environment, as well as the implications for permanent disposal sites such as Yucca Mountain. Key findings from leachate analyses and elemental release results are discussed, highlighting the crucial relationship between short-term tests and future waste management strategies. The report also emphasizes the importance of natural analogues in informing the development of durable glass forms for effective containment of high-level wastes. It documents substantial advancements in both experimental techniques and theoretical insights during this reporting period.