Effect of Microstructure of 304L SS and Thermal Aging of 304L SS Weld on the Corrosion Behavior in Simulated High Level Waste

The effect of oxidizing ions present in simulated high level liquid waste (HLW) on the corrosion behaviour of solution annealed, sensitized 304L SS and 304L SS weld was investigated by potentiodynamic anodic polarization technique. Potentiodynamic anodic polarization studies showed a higher passivation current density and increased corrosion potential (E_corr) in simulated HLW when compared to 3 M HNO₃ in all the specimen mentioned above. In addition, the effect of microstructure of thermally aged 304L SS weld on the corrosion behavior was investigated in simulated HLW medium. Thermal ageing of 304L SS weld was carried out at 1023 K/100 h. Optical microscopy confirmed step microstructure for solution annealed and ditch microstructure for the sensitized specimens. The weld region was found to possess delta-ferrite distributed in austenite matrix. Thermal ageing resulted in fragmentation/dissolution of delta-ferrite and transformation of delta-ferrite to carbides and sigma phases. The thermally aged 304L SS weld specimen showed only a marginal decrease in corrosion resistance in simulated HLW when compared to the 304L SS weld.