Corrosion Studies in Support of Medium Power Lead Alloy Cooled Reactor

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 2004 · Nuclear Technology

OSTI ID:912213

Loewen, Eric; Ballinger, Ronald; Lim, Jeongyoun

The performance of structural materials in lead or lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) systems is evaluated. The materials evaluated included refractory metals (W, Mo, and Ta), several U.S. steels [austenitic steel (316L), carbon steels (F-22, Fe-Si), ferritic/martensitic steels (HT-9 and 410)], and several experimental Fe-Si-Cr alloys that were expected to demonstrate corrosion resistance. The materials were exposed in either an LBE rotating electrode or a dynamic corrosion cell for periods from 100 to 1000 h at temperatures of 400, 500, 600, and 700°C, depending on material and exposure location. Weight change and optical scanning electron microscopy or X-ray analysis of the specimen were used to characterize oxide film thickness, corrosion depth, microstructure, and composition changes. The results of corrosion tests validate the excellent resistance of refractory metals (W, Ta, and Mo) to LBE corrosion. The tests conducted with stainless steels (410, 316L, and HT-9) produced mass transfer of elements (e.g., Ni and Cr) into the LBE, resulting in degradation of the material. With Fe-Si alloys a Si-rich layer (as SiO2) is formed on the surface during exposure to LBE from the selective dissolution of Fe.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-99ID13727
• OSTI ID: 912213
• Report Number(s): INEEL/JOU-03-00901
• Journal Information: Nuclear Technology, Journal Name: Nuclear Technology Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 147; ISSN 0029-5450; ISSN NUTYBB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
ALLOYS
BUILDING MATERIALS
CARBON STEELS
CORROSION
CORROSION RESISTANCE
DISSOLUTION
ELECTRODES
EUTECTICS
LEAD ALLOYS
MASS TRANSFER
MICROSTRUCTURE
OXIDES
REFRACTORY METALS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
STAINLESS STEELS
STEELS
THICKNESS
corrosion
lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE)
metals
resistance
steels
structural