Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Oxygen is a known corrosion accelerator in sodium-cooled fast reactors; however, published studies have primarily used sodium containing no oxygen, saturated oxygen, or one single oxygen concentration and explored the effect of varying temperatures and operating conditions. In this study, we investigate the effect of increasing oxygen concentration on the corrosion behavior of 316L austenitic stainless steel in a static testing environment at 550 °C for 100 h. Surface morphology and chemistry of the samples were then investigated using electron microscopy with focused ion beam milling, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. As oxygen level increased, the continuity and depth of penetration of the established NaCrO 2 layer were found to increase. Additionally, redeposition of corroded iron in the form of ferrite was observed and seen to increase in size with oxygen concentration. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction revealed a transition from Cr 23 C 6 to (Fe, Mo) 6 C, followed by eventual carbide depletion as oxygen increases. The results of these experiments demonstrate a direct relationship between oxygen concentration and both iron solubility and oxide penetration in liquid sodium systems.
Authors: Tolin Skov-Black, Dev Chidambaram
Institution: University of Nevada, Reno
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $1,950
OpenAlex ID: W7212071959