THE CORROSION OF 2 1/4% Cr-1% Mo STEEL BY LIQUID BISMUTH

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1958 · J. Iron Steel Inst. (London)

OSTI ID:4303138

Horsley, G W; Maskrey, J T

The dynamic corrosion of 2 1/4% Cr-1% Mo siliconkilled sael super-heater tubing by liquid bismuth has been studied in thermal convection loops working with maximum temperatures up tc 825 deg C, amperature gradients up to 150 deg C, and fluid velocities of 3 to 4 mm/s. Under these conditions the rate at which the steel is corroded by pure bismuth is at least 0.65 in./ year. The effect of adding 250 to 500 ppm Zr to the bismuth as an inhibitor on the corrosion of the sael has been studied. This inhibitor plates out on the steel mainly as a film of zirconium nitride and temporarily prevents attack by bismuth, reducing the corrosion rate to about 0.17 in./year. The film however occasionally spalls off and is not reformed; under this condition intergranular corrosion of the underlying steel proceeds rapidly. If the steel is heavily nitrided (~1% N) its rate of corrosion by inhibited bismuth is reduced to a maximum of 0.010 in./year, the nitride film reforms if broken, and inargranular penetration is prevented. The effect of pile radiation in BEPO on the corrosion of the steel by inhibited bismuth has also been studied. It has no beneficial effect and may even considerably reduce the corrosion resistance of the steel and the efficiency of the inhibitor. (auth)

• Research Organization: Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks, Eng.
• NSA Number: NSA-12-017127
• OSTI ID: 4303138
• Journal Information: J. Iron Steel Inst. (London), Journal Name: J. Iron Steel Inst. (London) Vol. Vol: 189, Part 2
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BISMUTH
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CONVECTION
CORROSION
EFFICIENCY
FILMS
GRAIN BOUNDARIES
IRRADIATION
LIQUID METALS
MINERALOGY, METALLURGY, AND CERAMICS
MOLYBDENUM ALLOYS
STABILITY
STEELS
SUPERHEATING
TUBES
VELOCITY
ZIRCONIUM
ZIRCONIUM NITRIDES