Tritium release behavior from SS316 under vacuum

The release behavior of tritium from stainless steel 316 previously loaded with tritium gas was investigated isothermally under an argon gas flow or under vacuum conditions. Depth profiles of the heated specimens were determined by chemical etching. The experimental release rate and tritium depth profiles in the solid could be simulated with a model based on bulk diffusion. The diffusion coefficients used to fit the depth profiles of specimens heated under vacuum conditions were not discernible from those obtained for specimens heated under an argon gas flow at the same temperature. (author)