Influence of Ar-ions irradiation on the oxidation behavior of ferritic–martensitic steel P92 in supercritical water

Abstract The corrosion behavior of ferritic–marensitic steel P92 with and without Ar-ions irradiation in supercritical water at 823 K(550 °C)/25 MPa for different exposure times was investigated by a variety of characterization techniques. A distinct difference in oxidation morphology between irradiated and unirradiated samples was observed. The oxide morphology of samples with a relatively moderate radiation intensity was similar with that of samples without irradiation. Many small oxide particles were observed in the region with a relatively high radiation intensity but their size was increased gradually with increasing exposure times. Exfoliation of oxide layer occurred for irradiated samples exposed for 100 h. Chromium-rich oxide layer with a chromium content of more than 20 wt pct along with a small-scale three-layer oxide structures were observed in Ar-ions irradiated samples, arising from the microstructural change in steel samples after the irradiation. Mechanism for the exfoliation of oxide layer is also discussed.