Abstract: A lid (9;21;22;25) is welded to the front storage opening of a container base (1). To improve the stress corrosion cracking characteristics in the area of the welding seam it is proposed that during welding the lid (9;21;22;25) be kept in contact with a contact surface (5) of the container base (1) under a preset pressing force which considerably exceeds the weight of the lid. The invention is also directed to a correspondingly shaped container. The preset pressing force is preferably maintained by a threaded engagement or a shrink engagement between lid and base.

Abstract: In a container for the storage of radioactive material comprising an inner casing for receiving the material and an outer casing made of a ceramic material which surrounds the inner casing, it is of prime importance that mechanical and thermal stresses which occur during storage and transport do not lead to destruction of the outer casing. In order to achieve this, the inner casing is held within the outer casing by contact distributed over a large surface area of the inner wall of the outer casing, the contact being achieved solely by frictional engagement, or by frictional engagement assisted by an adhesive. Preferably a contact element forming a frictional engagement element consists of a slotted sleeve and an abutment which is connected to the inner casing.

Abstract: In the final storage of radioactive substances in containers, these containers must be sealed so as to be gas-tight by means of a cover, before they are taken to the final storage place. In order to avoid thermal stress, which has up till now been customary, of the radioactive substances on the one hand and of the container and cover on the other hand, it is proposed that the container and the sealing cover should be suitably ground on their seating areas which cooperate with each other, and when the container is closed the cover is held by prestressing on the seating area of the container. In a preferred method, after grinding, a thin equalizing layer of a highly corrosion-resistant, deformable material is applied to at least one of the seating surfaces of the container and cover, in order to achieve a compensation for any roughness which may be present, which will improve the sealing, depending on the technically and/or economically possible extent of the grinding.