A STUDY OF CORROSION PRODUCTS USING A COCKTAIL OF RADIONUCLIDES

A method of detecting inaccessible metallic corrosion is proposed, in which a gamma-emitting radionuclide added in aqueous solution to the c ontents of a pipe or vessel attaches itself selectively to corrosion p roducts, and then may be detected from outside using a hand-held gamma detector. This was simulated in the laboratory in preliminary studies . Corrosion products studied were oxidised iron, FeS, goethite, magnet ite, spinel and oxidised stainless steel. K-d values were derived for various radionuclides. Of the radionuclides studied, Co-60, Eu-152, Pb -214, Bi-214 and Ra-226 potentially useful, but not Na-22 or Cs-137.