Proton irradiation effects on the electron work function, corrosion and hardness of austenitic stainless steel phases

Abstract The effects of proton irradiation on the electron work function of the 308 L austenitic stainless steel weld metal were investigated by scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy. The electron work function of ferrite increased, while austenite decreased after proton irradiation on the irradiated surface. The electron work function of the two phases decreased with irradiation depth. Softening of austenite and hardening of ferrite by irradiation with an obvious boundary between the irradiated and unirradiated regions on the polished cross-section surface were measured by nanoindentation. The corrosion morphology was consistent with the electron work function measured in the cross-section.