Influence of Simulated Outside-Reactor Irradiation on Anticorrosion Property of Austenitic Stainless Steel

The influence of γ-ray irradiation on the properties of inside-reactor stainless steel structures was studied by simulating the working condition of pressurized water reactor (PWR) first circuit and the outside-reactor γ-ray irradiation. The result shows that the simulated outside-reactor irradiation (irradiation dose 4.4 × 104 Gy) has no influence on anticorrosion properties of solutionized SUS304 austenitic stainless steel, including intergranular corrosion (IC) and stress corrosion cracking (SCC). Anticorrosion properties (IC, SCC) of sensitized SUS304 austenitic stainless steel are reduced by simulated outside-reactor irradiation. The longer the sensitized time is, the more obvious the influence is.