A method for measuring the real-time corrosion rates for Alloy 718, stainle
ss steels (SS) 304L and 316L nuclear grade (NG), aluminum alloys 5052 (Al50
52) and 6061 (Al6061), copper (Cu), tantalum (Ta), and tungsten (W) in two
separate water systems that were irradiated by 800 MeV protons is presented
. The first water system was fabricated entirely of 304 SS, thoroughly clea
ned before operation, and employed hydrogen water chemistry (HWC) to mitiga
te the formation of some of the radiolysis products. The samples were adequ
ately shielded from the irradiation cavity such that only the effects of wa
ter chemistry were investigated. Over the course of that irradiation period
the corrosion rates for 304L SS, 316L-NG SS, Ahoy 718, and Ta were less th
an 0.12 mu m/yr. For Al6061 and Al5052, the corrosion rates were of the ord
er of 0.50-2.0 mu m/yr. The corrosion rate of W was relatively high between
5.0 and 30 mu m/yr. The second water system, fabricated from copper piping
and steel components, was not cleaned prior to operation, and employed no
HWC. In comparison to the other system, the corrosion rates in the copper/s
teel system were 1-3 orders of magnitude higher. These results are discusse
d in terms of water radiolysis and water impurity levels. (C) 2000 Elsevier
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