Long-term Corrosion Dataset of 304 Stainless Steel in Hitec Molten Salt

The long-term corrosion dataset of 304 stainless steel in Hitec molten salt aims to systematically reveal its high-temperature corrosion behavior and mechanisms. The dataset is divided into four major modules, covering multidimensional information ranging from macroscopic properties to microstructure, and from the evolution of the molten salt environment to the material's response mechanisms, providing a systematic foundation for comprehensive analysis. First, the chemical evolution data of the molten salt, through XRD and metal ion concentration analysis, reveal structural changes in the molten salt as well as the dissolution and migration patterns of alloying elements. Second, the macroscopic corrosion response data of the specimens, based on mass change measurements, determine the average corrosion rate, reflecting the overall corrosion kinetic characteristics of the material. In terms of microstructural characterization, surface corrosion layer data, utilizing XRD, SEM, and EDS techniques, clarify the phase composition, morphological features, and elemental distribution of the corrosion products, thereby assessing the structure and stability of the surface layer. Finally, cross-sectional analysis, through high-resolution SEM combined with EDS mapping and line scanning, precisely measures the corrosion layer thickness and interface morphology, and visually presents the diffusion and enrichment behaviors of elements such as oxygen, chromium, and iron along the depth direction. This clearly defines the boundaries between different corrosion layers, providing key evidence for an in-depth explanation of the microscopic corrosion mechanisms.