Evaluation of corrosion behavior of ion irradiated stainless steel using atomic force microscope

Nemoto, Yoshiyuki  ; Miwa, Yukio; Tsuji, Hirokazu; Tsukada, Takashi 

Development and research about analytical method for the study of corrosion behavior of austenitic stainless steel after irradiation was conducted from the point of view for basic study of IASCC (Irradiation Assisted Stress Corrosion Cracking). Ion irradiations were conducted with several irradiation conditions these were irradiation temperature, radiation damage, the contents of helium (He) implantation. AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) was used to evaluate surface condition of irradiated specimens after corrosion procedure. Corrosion condition was developed to obtain good surface condition of irradiated specimens to evaluate corrosion behavior by AFM. It was succeeded and corrosion behavior at inside of grains and grain boundaries of irradiated specimens was obtained. EBSP (Electron Backscatter Diffraction Pattern) was used to evaluate relation of corrosion behavior with grain boundary character. Moreover, relations of corrosion behavior with irradiation condition were discussed.