THE CORROSION OF STEAM GENERATOR SURFACES UNDER TYPICAL SECONDARY COOLANT CONDITIONS: EFFECTS OF pH EXCURSIONS ON THE ALLOY SURFACE COMPOSITION

摘要

Specimens of Inconel600 (I-600), Inconel 690 (I-690), Incoloy 800 (I-800) and Monel 400 (M-400) were exposed to high temperature steam generator water conditions typical of those which might be found when the secondary coolant pH is allowed to fall into the acid regime. The specimens were analysed by surface and electrochemical techniques, cither directly following exposure in the acid medium steam generator coolant or after adjusting the coolant pH and chemistry to near-normal steam generator conditions. The initial acid exposure resulted in the growth of a chromium-rich surface corrosion product film on all alloys (except M-400) and the precipitation of nickel-rich sulphates. Following the return to a higher pH, the alloy again had chromium-rich surface oxides but also exhibited sulphide crystallites adhering to the base oxide, particularly for I-600. The tendency to retain these sulphides is attributed to the porosity of the protective oxide through which nickel is transported to the solution. The conversion of sulphate-sulphide is believed to occur as the pH is raised to normal alkaline conditions. In the case of M-400, a chromium oxide layer is not available to restrict the transport of nickel to the solution. As a result, a thick layer of sulphide crystals grows on the surface of the M-400 alloy even when subjected to a mild acid pH excursion. Even trace concentrations of sulphide/sulphate under normal pH control are shown to react with alloys whose oxide films appear permeable to nickel transport.