Microstructurally resolved electrochemical evolution of mechanical- and irradiation-induced damage in nuclear alloys

Xin Chen, Marta Pozuelo, Maxim Gussev, Matthew Chancey, Yongqiang Wang, Magdalena Balonis, Mathieu Bauchy, Gaurav Sant

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

There is a need for high-throughput, scale-relevant, and direct electrochemical analysis to understand the corrosion behavior and sensitivity of nuclear materials that are exposed to extreme (high pressure, temperature, and radiation exposure) environments. We demonstrate the multi-scale, multi-modal application of scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) to electrochemically profile corrosion alterations in nuclear alloys in a microstructurally resolved manner. Particularly, we identify that both mechanically deformed and irradiated microstructures show reduced charge-transfer resistance that leads to accelerated oxidation. We highlight that the effects of mechanical deformation and irradiation are synergistic, and may in fact, superimpose each other, with implications including general-, galvanic-, and/or irradiation-activated stress-corrosion cracking. Taken together, we highlight the ability of non-destructive, electrochemical interrogations to ascertain how microstructural alterations result in changes in the corrosion tendency of a nuclear alloy: knowledge which has implications to rank, qualify and examine alloys for use in nuclear construction applications.

Original languageEnglish
Article number84
Journalnpj Materials Degradation
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2024

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