Use ion beam techniques to study the coupling between air and its relative humidity on iron corrosion under irradiation

In this paper, the role of air humidity on the iron corrosion under irradiation is studied in the context of geological disposal of nuclear wastes. The irradiation experiments are performed at room temperature using a 3 MeV extracted proton beam with a 10 nA intensity. Different atmospheres are studied: Humid air with a relative humidity (RH) fixed at 45 %, dry air and a $^{15}N\_2$ atmosphere (45% RH). The hydrogen and oxygen distribution profiles at the iron surface in contact with atmosphere are measured by using respectively ERDA (Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis) and RBS (Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry) analysis. From these experiments it is clearly demonstrated that the coupling of O$\_2$+H$\_2$O enhances iron oxidation whereas for iron hydrogenation, humidity is sufficient whatever the atmosphere. An interpretation is given, which is based on the reaction mechanisms and the species formed by air ionisation