Corrosion Behavior of Depleted Uranium Surface After Nitriding in Salt Spray Environment

Corrosion behavior of depleted uranium surface after nitriding in salt spray environment was investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser raman spectroscopy (LRS). The results show that salt spray environment resulted in the corrosion of depleted uranium surface after nitriding treatment. Pitting corrosion occurred first in area containing inclusions. The corrosion was intensified and the nitriding layer was gradually destroyed with the prolongation of exposing time in salt spray environment, which directly led to severe corrosion of the uranium substrate. Corrosion products of depleted uranium in salt spray environment were composed of U₃O₈.