The effect of proton irradiation on dealloying of Alloy 800 in an aqueous environment

The effect of prior proton irradiation on the subsequent corrosion and dealloying of Alloy 800 was investigated in a 50 wt. % NaOH caustic solution at 140 °C. Dealloying of irradiated (1 dpa) and non-irradiated Alloy 800 was characterized at the nanoscale to provide mechanistic insight. A porous surface film enriched in Ni was formed on both irradiated and non-irradiated materials due to selective dissolution of Fe and Cr. However, the microstructure and chemistry in the dealloyed layer was altered by irradiation, including deeper dealloyed layer penetration, finer porosity, and changes in the classical core-shell ligament structure in the irradiated material.