The influence of proton irradiation on the corrosion of HT-9 during immersion in lead bismuth eutectic

The impedance properties of the oxide on the martensitic–ferritic steel HT-9 were characterized during proton irradiation at the LANSCE WNR facility. Prior to the irradiation experiment, samples were pre-oxidized in moist air resulting in an oxide scale that was on the order of 3 μm thick. Samples were then irradiated during immersion in 473 K lead–bismuth eutectic at a proton current of approximately 63 nA. To assess corrosion rate in real-time, a sinusoidal voltage perturbation was applied across the oxide surface as a function of frequency and the corresponding current response was measured. This method yielded values of oxide impedance which were used in conjunction with Wagner’s oxidation theory to calculate corrosion rate. In general, proton irradiation was associated with an increase in corrosion rate.