THE COMPATIBILITY OF VARIOUS METALS AND CARBON WITH LIQUID FLUORINE

Technical Report · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1960

OSTI ID:4033371

Sterner, C J; Singleton, A H

Experimental studies were made to determine the compatibility and resistance to corrosion of various metals and carbon with liquid fluorine at -320 deg F. The metals tested were various alloys of aluminum, stainless steel including high-strength steels, titanium, copper, Monel metal, nickel, and magnesium. Tests which were performed included: continuous immersion of stressed and unstressed samples in liquid fluorine for periods up to two weeks; impact ignition of titaanium and aluminum in liquid fluorine and of titanium in liquid oxygen at impact energy levels ranging from 2.6 to 65 ft-lb; intensive and extensive impact on tubes containing liquid fluorine; passivation and storage for periods up to 64 days followed by immersion in liquid fluorine; thermal shock of samples, both by liquid fluorine and in contact with liquid fluorine; flexing of metal samples immersed in liquid fluorine; tearing of metal samples while immersed in liquid fluorine; the explosibility of contaminant in liquid fluorine. It was found that the corrosion of the metals tested in pure liquid fluorine was negligible, generally amounting to less than 1 mil penetration per year. However, contamination of liquid fluorine resulted in severe corrosion. Graphitic carbon was found to be incompatible although dense amorphous carbon was affected only slightly. Titanium was found to ignite upon impact in liquid fluorine although the ignition did not propagate. No evidence was found to support the theory that a fluoride film is required to protect metals from attack by liquid fluorine. Passivation by gaseous fluorine is recommended as an extension of the cleaning procedure despite the lack of real evidence that passivation is required for materials which have been thoroughly cleaned. (auth)

• Research Organization: Air Products, Inc., Allentown, Penna.
• NSA Number: NSA-15-015997
• OSTI ID: 4033371
• Report Number(s): WADD-TR-60-436; AD-244309
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALUMINUM ALLOYS
CARBON
CONTAMINATION
COPPER
CORROSION
FLUORINE
GRAPHITE
LIQUIDS
MAGNESIUM
MATERIALS TESTING
METALS
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
NICKEL
NICKEL ALLOYS
PASSIVATION
STAINLESS STEELS
STORAGE
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TITANIUM