EFFECTS OF TRITIATED HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE AND CHLORIDE ON THE BEHAVIOR OF N-08932 STAINLESS-STEEL

Tritiated water contains radiolytic hydrogen peroxide. The corrosion p otential of N 08932 stainless steel, as well as the redox potential of tritiated water, taken immediately from a closed storage vessel with a high pressure of radiolytic gases, are in the passive-transpassive r egion. After removal from storage, the concentration of tritiated hydr ogen peroxide decreases and these potentials are in the prepassive or passive region showing the importance of the radiolytic species concen tration on passivity and corrosion. The change of passive oxide layer characteristics depends on passive potentials, hydrogen peroxide and c hloride concentrations. In this medium, the passive potential domain b ecomes narrower: the pitting potential shifts towards negative values, and the corrosion potential towards more positive values. The oxide c apacitance value increases rapidly. Comparison without Cl- shows that the passive oxide layer is much less insulating.