Effects of Dissolved Gas and Cold Work on the Electrochemical Behaviors of 304 Stainless Steel in Simulated PWR Primary Water

The effects of dissolved gas and cold work on the electrochemical behaviors of Type 304 stainless steel were investigated in simulated pressurized water reactor primary water environment by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Results reveal that both dissolved gas and cold work have a significant influence on anodic passivation properties and corrosion resistance of the oxide film. In Ar deaerated water and oxygenated water environments, the corrosion potential of stainless steel and Pt is controlled by the dissolved oxygen concentration, and the corrosion resistance of the inner barrier layer is much higher. However, in H2 deaerated water, the corrosion potential is depressed by the H2/H2O redox potential and the inner oxide film formed in H2 deaerated water is less stable. In addition, the passive region of polarization curves on 304 stainless steel in oxygenated and Ar deaerated water is controlled by metal dissolution instead of water oxidation, and the passive cur...