The effect of high-temperature water chemistry and dissolved zinc on the cobalt incorporation on type 316 stainless steel oxide

Oxidation tests on Type 316 stainless steel were performed under hydrogen water chemistry and normal water chemistry for 500 h with continuous injection of a Co-59 solution with and without 5 ppb of Zn injection. The present paper identifies the resultant oxides, analysed using analytical electron microscopy and complementary surface microstructural characterisation techniques. Zn injection has been shown to reduce Co incorporation in the inner oxide layer under both water chemistry conditions. The secondary effects of Zn injection on the oxide film growth have also been investigated and discussed.