A Program on The Corrosion of Carbon Steel in The Presence of Water Radiolysis

Abstract

Understanding the factors that can affect the corrosion of steel pipes or containers is important for material selection and effective operation and maintenance of nuclear power reactors. Corrosion kinetics depend on the aqueous redox condition and the physical and chemical nature of the steel surface involved. Nuclear plant environments include the added challenge of fields of ionizing radiation that can affect the redox conditions in solution. An NSERC/AECL Industrial Research Chair program has been established with the objective of developing a fundamental understanding of this synergistic interaction between the processes of radiolysis and corrosion. This presentation provides an overview of the research program and summarizes key findings.