Effect of neptunium ions on corrosion of stainless steel in Nitric Acid solution

Abstract

We have studied corrosion of a stainless steel in nitric acid solution containing neptunium. Using type 304L stainless steel, corrosion tests in boiling neptunium nitrate solution were conducted under immersion and heat-transfer condition. By the weight loss measurement of stainless steel and the quantitative analysis of metallic ions dissolved in solution, the corrosion rates of stainless steel were obtained. The surface morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The corrosion acceleration mechanism was investigated by polarization measurement and spectrophotometry. The corrosion rate of stainless steel was accelerated by addition of neptunium in nitric acid solution. Preferential intergranular corrosion was observed. The corrosion of stainless steel was promoted under heat-transfer condition compared to immersion condition. In polarization measurements, the cathodic over-voltage was decreased; the cathodic current was increased by addition of neptunium. Spectrophotometric measurements showed the oxidization of neptunium in boiling nitric acid. The corrosion mechanism in nitric acid solution containing neptunium suggested the re-oxidation of neptunium. © 2002 Atomic Energy Society of Japan.