An in-situ Raman spectroscopy investigation of the oxidation of proton irradiated and cold-worked 304L stainless steel in oxygenated water at 300°C

A facility consisting of a high temperature and pressure corrosion loop coupled with in-situ Raman spectroscopy and proton irradiation has been used to investigate the oxide development on as-received, cold-worked and proton-irradiated 304 L stainless steel (SS) in water at 300 °C over a 48-hour period. Chemical and semi-quantitative kinetic information were obtained. The as-received and 0.1 dpa SS displayed similar oxidation kinetics and chemistry across all timespans, indicating that the damage imparted by protons was not sufficient in this case to manifest a detectable change in the oxide. However, modifications in the spinel oxide chemistry and increased oxidation kinetics with time were observed for the 3.0 dpa and cold-worked SS.