Surface oxide layers on 316L stainless steel formed in 561 K pure water at different potentials

Soma, Yasutaka   ; Kato, Chiaki   ; Yamamoto, Masahiro 

Surface oxide layers on stainless steel were formed in 561 K pure water at different potentials. To understand the oxide's properties in terms of their potential dependence, cross-sectional views of the oxide layer were analyzed using an electron microprobe technique and potential-solubility (equilibrium concentration of ionic species) diagram. In the potential range investigated, duplex oxide layers composed of mono- and bimetallic oxide were formed. Both the structure and composition of the oxide layer were affected by solubility of oxides.