Nuclead designs, fabricates, and supplies high-performance nuclear casks built for the safe storage, shielding, and transportation of radioactive materials. These casks are constructed with precision to meet the strictest nuclear safety standards and provide unparalleled radiation shielding. With heavy-duty steel exteriors and dense lead linings, Nuclead’s nuclear casks are used in power generation, medical isotope transport, waste handling, and laboratory containment applications.
Each nuclear cask is engineered for high structural integrity and shielding efficiency, ensuring that radiation emissions remain within regulatory limits during handling, shipping, or long-term storage. Nuclead offers both standard and custom-built nuclear casks, supporting clients in nuclear power, defense, research, and radiopharmaceuticals.
What Is a Nuclear Cask?
A nuclear cask is a specialized container designed to store or transport radioactive substances. These casks are built to provide physical protection and radiation shielding to ensure safe containment under normal and accident conditions.
Primary Components of a Nuclear Cask
- Outer shell: Made of high-strength steel or composite metal
- Lead liner: Acts as the main radiation barrier, reducing gamma and x-ray emissions
- Interior cavity: Designed to hold nuclear fuel rods, isotopes, or waste
- Lid and seals: Precision-machined closures with locking mechanisms and gaskets
- Lifting fixtures: Engineered for crane handling and heavy equipment movement
Each component is built to perform under extreme temperature, pressure, and shock conditions—ensuring full protection in all stages of nuclear material handling.
Applications of Nuclear Casks
Nuclead’s nuclear casks are deployed across several critical industries where the containment and transport of radioactive materials must comply with rigorous standards.
Nuclear Power Plants
Nuclear casks are used to contain spent fuel rods and radioactive waste generated during nuclear fission in reactors.
- Temporary or long-term dry storage of spent nuclear fuel
- Casks lined with lead to attenuate gamma radiation
- Prevents environmental exposure during cooling and decay periods
- Can be stored on-site or transported to disposal facilities
Medical and Radiopharmaceutical Industries
Hospitals and medical research institutions use nuclear casks to transport and store isotopes used in diagnostics, treatment, and imaging.
- Secure containers for short-lived isotopes like technetium-99m
- Prevent radiation leaks during interfacility transfers
- Compact casks designed for courier or small vehicle transport
Nuclear Waste Management
Casks play a central role in the secure handling of low, intermediate, and high-level radioactive waste.
- Containers for irradiated tools, contaminated shielding, or process residues
- Stackable designs for optimized waste volume and storage footprint
- Enhanced lid integrity to prevent gas release or contamination
Research and Laboratory Facilities
Scientific institutions utilize nuclear casks for transporting radioactive samples, reactor test materials, or containment of experimental waste.
- Precision-engineered for compact or large specimen requirements
- Compatible with hot cells, glove boxes, and robotic handling
- Often used in universities, government labs, and nuclear R&D centers
Materials and Shielding Performance
Nuclead’s nuclear casks are constructed with a multi-layer design focused on shielding effectiveness, structural resilience, and longevity.
Lead Shielding Core
Lead is the material of choice for internal shielding due to its high density and atomic number, which provide superior gamma and x-ray attenuation.
- Cast or machined into the cask’s interior cavity
- Uniform lead wall thickness ensures consistent protection
- Custom lead alloy formulations available for added hardness or structural support
Steel Shell and Reinforcements
The cask’s outer shell is typically made of carbon steel, stainless steel, or other radiation-tolerant metals.
- Protects lead liner from impact, weather, and corrosion
- Provides structural rigidity under load
- Designed to meet DOT, NRC, and IAEA transport standards
Seals, Gaskets, and Closures
Precision seals and locking systems ensure the cask remains airtight and tamper-proof throughout handling and storage.
- Multi-bolt lids with elastomer or metal seals
- Pressure-relief valves or monitoring ports
- Secure closure systems prevent accidental opening
Custom Nuclear Cask Design Capabilities
Nuclead specializes in designing custom nuclear casks for specialized uses, from large-scale fuel storage to portable isotope transport. Every custom project includes engineering consultation, 3D modeling, and FEA simulation to validate structural integrity and shielding efficiency.
Size and Weight Options
- Small casks (10–100 lbs) for lab use or isotope transfers
- Medium casks (100–2,000 lbs) for hospital or research needs
- Large casks (2,000+ lbs) for spent fuel storage and industrial waste
Custom Interior Configurations
- Molded inserts for fuel rods or isotope vials
- Adjustable shielding thickness based on isotope type and strength
- Thermal insulation for heat-emitting materials
Optional Features
- Encapsulated lead for reduced contamination risk
- Forklift pockets or crane hooks for material handling
- Embedded RFID tracking or radiation sensors
- Stackable or modular cask designs for facility storage efficiency
Fabrication, Inspection, and Testing
Every nuclear cask manufactured by Nuclead undergoes strict quality control, testing, and documentation procedures to ensure safety and compliance.
Fabrication Standards
- In-house lead casting and steel fabrication
- Precision machining of mating surfaces, cavities, and hardware
- Welding and assembly in radiation-safe environments
Inspection and Verification
- Ultrasonic and radiographic testing for weld integrity
- Pressure and leak testing of seals
- Dimensional checks and shielding thickness verification
- Final inspection against nuclear containment specifications
Documentation and Traceability
- Material certifications (MTRs) for steel and lead
- Shielding performance calculations
- Serialization and full traceability records
- Compliance with ASME, ANSI, NRC, and IAEA guidelines
Packaging, Shipping, and Deployment
Nuclead ensures every nuclear cask is packaged, labeled, and delivered in accordance with nuclear material handling regulations. Logistics are handled in collaboration with nuclear facility personnel to support on-site placement and commissioning.
Packaging for Transport
- Shock-absorbing crates and bracing
- Moisture-resistant wrapping for internal components
- DOT-compliant labeling for radioactive materials
- Certified for highway, rail, air, or sea transport
Shipping and Installation
- LTL and full-load transport scheduling
- Delivery to nuclear plants, medical centers, or research labs
- On-site consultation for unloading, positioning, and inspection
- Coordination with third-party logistics or regulatory bodies
Environmental and Regulatory Compliance
Nuclead adheres to national and international standards for nuclear material containment and transport. Every cask is designed with both operational safety and environmental protection in mind.
Safety and Regulatory Certifications
- NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) guidelines
- DOT Type A and Type B transport compliance
- IAEA SSR-6 transport safety standards
- ASME nuclear codes and ISO quality standards
Radiation Safety and Monitoring
- Engineered to minimize dose rate at surface and distance
- Available with integrated dosimetry and monitoring ports
- Shielding performance validated for each isotope type
Why Choose Nuclead for Nuclear Casks?
With unmatched experience in lead shielding and nuclear-grade metalwork, Nuclead is a trusted provider of high-quality nuclear casks for critical industries. Each product is backed by expert engineering, rigorous quality control, and personalized support throughout the design, fabrication, and deployment process.
Benefits of Working with Nuclead
- In-house casting, machining, and assembly
- Custom shielding calculations and cask design
- Extensive regulatory knowledge
- Reliable lead times and technical support
- Scalable production for single or repeat orders
Request a Quote for Nuclear Casks
If your facility requires dependable containment for radioactive materials, Nuclead offers the expertise, materials, and engineering support to deliver fully compliant, high-performance nuclear casks. Contact Nuclead today to request a quote, discuss your custom requirements, or consult with a nuclear containment specialist.
