Role of irradiation and irradiation defects on the oxidation first stages of a 316L austenitic stainless steel

[Display omitted] •Proton irradiation is an efficient tool to simulate neutron irradiation.•Irradiation does not affect the duplex character of the oxide.•Irradiation defects act as preferential nucleation sites and enhanced diffusion.•Irradiation enhances the oxidation kinetic. The role of irradiation and irradiation defects on the oxidation first stages of 316 L alloy was investigated. A sample with both a proton pre-irradiated and an unirradiated area was exposed to a simulated PWR environment during 24 hours. Irradiation defects and Radiation Induced Segregation at grain boundary and on irradiation defects were characterized and quantified and their effect on the oxidation was evaluated. Irradiation affects the morphology, thickness and chemistry of the oxide layers formed. It enhances the oxidation kinetic and induces the formation of an inner oxide richer in chromium. Defects induced by irradiation act as preferential nucleation sites.