Molecular iodine interactions with metal substrates: Towards the understanding of iodine interactions in the environment following a nuclear accident

•Characterized the corrosion product formed from I2(g) interaction with stainless steel at room temperature.•Utilized ICP-OES of the water leachate to quantify water soluble metal iodides formed.•Found agreement between surface analysis of the corrosion product using SEM/EDS and ICP-OES analysis of the water leachate.•Compared the corrosion of stainless steel 304L and 316L by I2(g).•Employed a variety of techniques; SEM/EDS, XRD, TGA-DSC and ICP-OES.