Evaluation of alternate construction materials for a lithium electrolysis cell
Electrolytic cells currently used for the production of lithium metal are constructed of A285 Grade A steel (carbon content less than 0.15%). Failures of the cell wall have frequently occurred after 2 to 5 years of service, and these failures have been attributed to corrosion resulting from the reaction of iron carbide with lithium. An examination of a recent failure confirmed this conclusion. In an effort to identify alternate construction materials with better corrosion resistance for this application, five materials with very low carbon levels and/or carbides more stable than those in A285 were selected for evaluation. Materials were evaluated after exposure in an operating electrolytic cell, after exposure to pure lithium, and after exposure to a moist air-chlorine mixture. Results show that all five of the alternative materials selected are more corrosion resistant than A285, but two were eliminated from further consideration because of other potential shortcomings. Additional long-term corrosion tests are recommended for the remaining three candidate materials. Final selection should be based on considerations of cost, availability, and fabricability in addition to compatibility. 26 refs., 9 figs., 8 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6861914
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/TM-10564; ON: DE88013500
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
CORROSION
MATERIALS
IRON CARBIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
LITHIUM
FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS
FAILURES
MATERIALS TESTING
PRODUCTION
ALKALI METALS
CARBIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
ELEMENTS
IRON COMPOUNDS
METALS
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
TESTING
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
400400* - Electrochemistry
360105 - Metals & Alloys- Corrosion & Erosion