The effects of gamma-ray irradiation and sodium sulfate as an aqueous impurity on the intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) susceptibility of sensitized type 304 (UNS(1) S30400) stainless steel (SS) were studied through slow strain rate tests (SSRT) and corrosion potential measurements in high-temperature water that simulated the BWR normal water chemistry (NWC) and hydrogen water chemistry (HWC) conditions. The SSRT results demonstrated that IGSCC was accelerated by gamma-ray irradiation under the NWC condition, while it was suppressed under the HWC condition. These different effects are attributable to the radiation-induced corrosion potential shifts in the opposite directions depending on the water chemistry condition. When the sodium sulfate was injected up to 0.32 μS/cm of conductivity, IGSCC was observed even under the HWC condition, but it was suppressed by gamma-ray irradiation.

Subject
Working electrodes, Water, Intergranular stress corrosion cracking, Sodium sulfate, Irradiation, Radiolysis, Fracture surfaces, Water chemistry, Impurities, Stainless steel, Corrosion potential, Conductivity, Oxidation
Keywords:
aqueous impurity, corrosion potential, gamma-ray irradiation, high-temperature water, IGSCC, SSRT, type 304 stainless steel
National Association of Corrosion Engineers
1990
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