The effect of tritiated water on the corrosion of 316L stainless steel

This study, using cycle voltammetry, shows that the tritium in tritiated water leads to localized stress corrosion of the oxide layer. This is due to the combined effects of the radiolytic products and the energy of the β − particles. The surface grain boundaries are also locally attacked with peeling of the laminated grains. This must result from the adsorption of H and 3H, which with the energy released by the β − particles has to favor this attack.