Compatibility of ITER candidate structural materials with static gallium

Technical Report · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10148729· OSTI ID:10148729

Luebbers, P R; Michaud, W F; Chopra, O K

Tests were conducted on the compatibility of gallium with candidate structural materials for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, e.g., Type 316 SS, Inconel 625, and Nb-5 Mo-1 Zr alloy, as well as Armco iron, Nickel 270, and pure chromium. Type 316 stainless steel is least resistant to corrosion in static gallium and Nb-5 Mo-1 Zr alloy is most resistant. At 400{degrees}C, corrosion rates are {approx}4.0, 0.5, and 0.03 mm/yr for type 316 SS, Inconel 625, and Nb-5 Mo- 1 Zr alloy, respectively. The pure metals react rapidly with gallium. In contrast to findings in earlier studies, pure iron shows greater corrosion than nickel. The corrosion rates at 400{degrees}C are {ge}88 and 18 mm/yr, respectively, for Armco iron and Nickel 270. The results indicate that at temperatures up to 400{degrees}C, corrosion occurs primarily by dissolution and is accompanied by formation of metal/gallium intermetallic compounds. The solubility data for pure metals and oxygen in gallium are reviewed. The physical, chemical, and radioactive properties of gallium are also presented. The supply and availability of gallium, as well as price predictions through the year 2020, are summarized.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 10148729
• Report Number(s): ANL--93/31; ON: DE94011451
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360105
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700480
ALLOYS
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPONENT DEVELOPMENT
CORROSION AND EROSION
CORROSION RESISTANCE
GALLIUM
ITER TOKAMAK
MATERIALS STUDIES
MATERIALS TESTING
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
THERMONUCLEAR REACTOR MATERIALS