AVS 49th International Symposium
    Applied Surface Science Tuesday Sessions
       Session AS-TuP

Paper AS-TuP19
Surface Studies of Corrosion of Stainless Steel by Lead-Bismuth Eutectic

Tuesday, November 5, 2002, 5:30 pm, Room Exhibit Hall B2

Session: Topics in Applied Surface Science
Presenter: A.L. Johnson, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Authors: A.L. Johnson, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
D. Koury, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
B. Hosterman, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
D. Parsons, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
D. Perry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
J. Farley, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Correspondent: Click to Email
The corrosion of stainless steel by lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) has been studied using various types of surface analysis, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometry (XPS). The goal is to understand the chemical react ion products and chemical reactions involves in the corrosion. The atomic composition of steel samples has been examined as a function of position. Sputter depth profiling has been employed to study the atomic composition as a function of depth. High reso lution XPS studies reveal the oxidation state of the various elements. We have examined both unexposed steel samples and steel samples that have been exposed to LBE for various lengths of time for different temperatures. Crucial differences between the un exposed and exposed samples are demonstrated in the data. For example, nickel is present at the surface of the unexposed samples, but absent from the exposed samples. The latest experimental results will be presented and mechanistic implications discussed. This work was supported by the U. S. Department of Energy under the AAA UPP Program (UNLV) and Contract Number DE-AC03-76SF00098 (LBNL).