Date of Award
2008
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Chemistry
Supervisor
Dr. J. Clara Wren
Abstract
Understanding the factors that can affect the corrosion of steel pipes or containers is an important concern for nuclear power plants. Corrosion involves metal oxidation and dissolution, and hence, its kinetics depends on the aqueous redox condition and the physical and chemical nature of surface oxide formed during corrosion. Nuclear plant environment includes the additional challenge of fields of ionizing radiation that can affect the redox conditions in solution. To develop a fundamental understanding of radiation induced corrosion, the kinetics of steel corrosion in aggressive and dynamic redox conditions that simulate radiolytic environments are being studied. The objective of this research is to determine the mechanism of surface oxide film formation and conversion as a function of electrochemical and corrosion potential, using various electrochemical analysis techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry, potentiostatic film growth and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical study is complimented by ex situ surface analysis such as scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Recommended Citation
Yu, Wei, "OXIDE FILM FORMATION AND CONVERSION MECHANISM ON CARBON STEEL UNDER MILDLY BASIC CONDITIONS" (2008). Digitized Theses. 4827.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4827