This paper is focused on the corrosion behavior of Type 316 stainless steel (316SS) at 50°C in high-purity water. Irradiated solution tests are performed using high-energy photon radiation. The purpose of this work is to determine the effects of radiolysis products on the environmental stability of 316SS in support of the ITER first wall/shield/blanket design.

Results show that irradiation of the test solution at 50°C induces a shift in the electrochemical potential of approximately 100mV in the active direction compared to non-irradiated solution. This shift is attributed to the formation of a net reducing environment via radiolysis. In addition, nearly an order of magnitude increase in the passive current density was observed as compared to non-irradiated conditions. This increase is a combination of the oxidation of radiolysis products on the 316SS surface, and increases in corrosion rates. Further testing on 316SS is in progress to determine the extent of the increase in corrosion rate in irradiated versus non-irradiated solutions.

Subject
Boiling water reactors, Corrosion rate, Passive current, Irradiation, Aqueous environments, Radiolysis, Platinum, Polarization curves, Current densities, Stainless steel, Electrochemical potential, Hydrogen, Oxidation
Keywords:
316Ss, corrosion, electrochemical potential, passive current density, water radiolysis
© 1993 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1993
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
You do not currently have access to this content.