Electrochemical noise resistance evaluation of 304L SS in nitric acid and simulated nuclear high level waste

Abstract

The paper focuses on corrosion monitoring of 304L stainless steel (SS) (solution annealed, sensitised) in nitric acid (4, 8 and 12M) at 298 and 323 K electrolyte temperatures, and simulated high level waste (HLW, 323 K), using electrochemical noise (EN) measurements. Double loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation test was conducted to assess the degree of sensitisation. Electrochemical noise records revealed passivation process during the monitoring period, under all conditions studied, except for the sensitised specimen in 4M nitric acid (323 K), which showed localised attack. The results showed an inverse relation between EN resistance and corrosion activity. An increase in nitric acid concentration resulted in an increase in corrosion activity, while increasing the electrolyte temperature increased the corrosion activity marginally. A profound increase in corrosion activity occurred for the sensitised specimen in nitric acid when compared to the solution annealed specimen, but the increase was marginal in simulated HLW. The results are detailed in the paper.