The vapor hydration test can be used to study the corrosion of glass and glass ceramic waste forms under conditions of high temperature and contact by water vapor or thin films of water. This method may serve as an accelerated test for some materials, since the high temperatures will accelerate thermally activated processes. A wide range of test temperatures have been reported in the literature –40°C (Ebert et al, 2005 (3), for example) to 300°C (Vienna et al, 2001 (4), for example). It should be noted that with increased test temperature comes the possibility of changing the corrosion rate determining mechanism and the types of phases formed upon alteration from those that occur in the disposal environment (Vienna et al, 2001 (4)).

The vapor hydration test can be used as a screening test to determine the propensity of waste forms to alter and for relative comparisons in alteration rates between waste forms.

1.1 The vapor hydration test method can be used to study the corrosion of a waste forms such as glasses and glass ceramics upon exposure to water vapor at elevated temperatures. In addition, the alteration phases that form can be used as indicators of those phases that may form under repository conditions. These tests; which allow altering of glass at high surface area to solution volume ratio; provide useful information regarding the alteration phases that are formed, the disposition of radioactive and hazardous components, and the alteration kinetics under the specific test conditions. This information may be used in performance assessment (McGrail et al, 2002 (1) for example).

1.2 This test method must be performed in accordance with all quality assurance requirements for acceptance of the data.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.