Propagation of intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) in sensitized type 304 (UNS S30400) stainless steel (SS) in 288°C water was enhanced by γ-ray irradiation with a flux of 2.3 × 103 coul/kg-h (∼1 × 107 R/h). Crack growth rates under irradiation were up to twice as large as those in unirradiated water. The acceleration was attributed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) formed in water by irradiation. Crack growth rates depended on the concentration of oxygen (O2 + 1/2 (H2O2) in the water. Injection of hydrogen (H2) into water prevented crack propagation under γ-ray irradiation because oxidizing species, such as H2O2 and O2, recombined with the injected H2.

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NACE International
1993
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