• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.10
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• pp.3778-3787
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• 2022

The stress-assisted oxidation behaviour of Inconel 52 M/316 austenitic stainless-steel (SS) dissimilar weld joints (DMWJ) in a simulated pressurised water reactor environment was investigated. A corrosion galvanic couple formed between the Inconel 52 M and 316 SS due to differences in their nonferrous metal content. The electric field from the corrosion couple attracted metal cations (e.g. Fe²⁺, Cr³⁺) to the Inconel 52 M that were deposited as FeCr₂O₄. An additional corrosion galvanic couple was generated due to variations in the plastic deformation of the DMWJ. The superposition of electric fields from the different couples resulted in ridge-like oxide depositions in the fusion zone.