Combined effects of irradiation and hydrogen ions on surface oxidation of 308 L austenite stainless steel

Abstract The harsh environment in pressurized water reactor involving neutron irradiation and hydrogen from the water radiolysis poses significant challenges on the passivation of materials therein. Here, we probed the combined effects of hydrogen and irradiation on the oxidation of 308 L austenite stainless steel. Hydrogen lowers the electron work function of the steel. Oxide film on the irradiated and hydrogenated surface is thicker, and has a higher electrical conductivity than that on the unirradiated surface. The findings are associated with the interaction between hydrogen and irradiation-induced voids which prompts the oxidation kinetics and considerably changes the scale structure and composition.