"The Corrosion of Materials in Spallation Neutron Sources" by Robert Lillard
 

Title

The Corrosion of Materials in Spallation Neutron Sources

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 1998

Abstract

Efforts to measure the real-time corrosion rates of alloy 718 during 800 MeV proton radiation at currents up to 1 mA are reported. Specially designed corrosion probes, which incorporate ceramic seals, were mounted in a water manifold that allowed samples to be directly exposed to the proton beam at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. The water system that supplied the manifold provided a means for controlling water chemistry, measuring dissolved hydrogen concentration, and measuring the effects of water radiolysis and water quality on corrosion rate. Real-time corrosion rate measurements during proton irradiation showed an exponential increase in corrosion rate with proton-beam current. These results are discussed within the context of water radiolysis at the diffusion boundary layer/beam-spot interface. However, additional factors that may influence these parameters, such as oxide spallation and charge build-up in the passive film, are not ruled out.

Volume

50

Issue

12

First Page

56

Last Page

59

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