3. Conclusion

During the vitrification process, all radionuclides are homogeneously integrated at the atomic scale into a borosilicate lattice, with the exception of certain short-lived noble metals such as ruthenium and palladium, but with no detrimental effect on the glass's containment properties. Because of its chemical composition and atomically disordered structure, glass is particularly resistant to radiation damage and heating. Glass is also highly durable chemically, with respect to the radioactive decay periods of radionuclides. Studies are still underway, notably with a view to improving the modeling of glass package behavior in geological disposal conditions.

The relationships between the properties of nuclear glass and its composition are complex. Empirical relationships have been defined, and the modeling of glass network structures makes it possible to distinguish...