Static corrosion of candidate alloys for the lead-bismuth fast reactor

Abstract

This project examined the corrosion rates and mechanisms of two candidate alloys for use in Lead-bismuth Eutectic (LBE) cooled fast nuclear reactors. The two alloys examined were T91 and Fe-12Cr-2Si. An experimental study was performed to analyze the static corrosion on the two alloys. For the experiment, the polished samples of the two alloys were heated in LBE for 166 hours at 700 The heating conditions, such as temperature, oxygen levels, and moisture levels were monitored closely throughout the duration of the experiment. During the heating process, hydrogen gas was bubbled into the LBE, creating a highly reducing environment. Argon was used as a cover gas. Upon removal from the furnace, the alloy samples were examined via optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Examination of the samples found no observable corrosion effects on the Fe-12Cr-2Si samples and a thin layer of magnetite on the T91 sample.