The corrosion of Grade 12 titanium, a possible canister material for the storage of high-level nuclear wastes, has been studied in brine solution under γ radiation (Ce137, 1.5×105 rad/h⁠), in which a variety of radiolytic species that may change the redox reactions involved in corrosion processes is known to be produced. It was found that radiolysis of the brine solution permits additional partial cathodic reactions and shifts the open circuit potential (OCP) of the alloy in the noble direction. Furthermore, it was found that the changes in the oxide responsible for decreased hydrogen absorption by Grade 12 Ti under γ radiation are caused by the radiolysis products of the brine solution and not by the direct effect of radiation on the metal or oxide. γ radiation also increases the pitting potential of the alloy in 1 M KBr solution at 25 C.

Among the radiolytic products, hydrogen peroxide plays an important role in determining the corrosion conditions in the irradiated brine solution: (1) it provides an additional cathodic reaction, thereby probably reducing hydrogen generation; (2) it enhances the anatase content of the surface oxide; and (3) it produces a slightly thicker oxide layer.

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National Association of Corrosion Engineers
1987
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