Effects of Gamma Radiation Versus Peroxide on Carbon Steel Corrosion

Abstract

The effect of water radiolysis products produced by ionizing radiation on the corrosion kinetics of carbon steel has been studied at pH 10.6 and room temperature, using electrochemical and chemical speciation analyses. The present study investigates the effect of γ-radiation on carbon steel corrosion and compares it with that of chemically added H₂O₂, which is considered to be the key radiolytically produced oxidant at room temperature. Various oxide films were pre-grown potentiostatically on carbon steel electrodes, and then exposed to either γ-radiation or H₂O₂. The corrosion kinetics were studied by monitoring the corrosion potential (E_CORR), and periodically measuring the polarization resistance.