Effect of Gamma Radiation on Steel Corrosion

Abstract

An important materials issue of nuclear reactors concerns the chemical effects of ionizing radiation on steel corrosion. The effect of radiation on the corrosion kinetics of carbon steel and stainless steel was studied by electrochemical and chemical speciation analyses. The changes in the steel corrosion behaviour during the exposure to gamma radiation were followed by corrosion potential and electrochemical impedance measurements. The corrosion kinetic measurements were also performed with steel exposed to H₂O₂ under non-irradiation conditions, and found the response of the corroding steel to gamma radiation could be mimicked with chemical addition of H₂O₂.