Effect of mechanical surface treatment on oxidation and carburization of some austenitic heat resisting alloys in the simulated HTGR helium environment

Influence of mechanical surface finishing on corrosion was studied with some austenitic heat resisting alloys exposed to the simulated HTGR helium environment. The exposure tests were made at 900 and 10000C for 500 and 1500h. Contrary to the prediction based on the trend of some conventional experimental results on the oxidation of cold worked material at comparatively low temperatures, severe cold working, e.g. shot-blasting, was found to accelerate oxidation and carburization. Although, in some cases, moderate surface grinding showed results almost comparable to the surface abraded with fine emery papers, most mechanical surface finishing were recognized as to promote oxidation and carburization at 900 and 10000C in the simulated HTGR helium. The oxide film formed on the ground or shot-blasted specimen tended to spall more easily during cooling after isothermal exposure at 10000C. Based on the metallographic observation mechanisms of the acceleration of oxidation and carburization was discussed. The surface cold work was considered to cause not only enhanced chromium diffusion to the surface but also considerable degree of inhomogeneity of the degree of working in the microscopic scale, resulting in rather rapid oxide build-up and spallation. Some of the surface finishing in practice with severe cold working, thus, were concluded to be harmful to the integrity of HTGR structural components. (author)