Liquid lead–bismuth eutectic embrittlement effect on the tensile properties of T91 steel at 350°C. Issue 2 (15th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Jing; Xiao, Zunqi; Jiang, Zhizhong; Luo, Lin
• Is Part Of: Materials and corrosion. Volume 73:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 207
• Page End: 216
• Publication Date: 2021-09-15
• Subjects: fracture -- lead–bismuth eutectic -- liquid metal embrittlement -- T91; Materials -- Periodicals; Metals -- Periodicals; Corrosion and anti-corrosives -- Periodicals; 620.1122305
• DOI: 10.1002/maco.202112530
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-5117

Abstract

Abstract: The effects of pre‐exposure and surface notch on the tensile properties of T91 steel in oxygen saturation lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) have been investigated by slow strain rate tensile tests at 350°C with a strain rate of 1 × 10 −5 s −1, and the reference tests were performed in Ar gas. The pre‐exposure was conducted in liquid LBE at 500°C with an oxygen concentration of 10 −8 wt% for 500 h. It is shown that the tensile properties of the nonpre‐exposed specimens whether with or without a notch were not affected by LBE, but obvious liquid metal embrittlement (LME) was observed on the pre‐exposure specimens. After being pre‐exposed, the notched one was more prone to liquid LBE embrittlement compared to the unnotched specimen. Morphology similar to fatigue striations was observed on the fracture surface of the notched specimen with pre‐exposure, which was probably attributed to the rapid growth of the crack. The results revealed that pre‐exposure had a critical effect on LME, and surface notch intensified this phenomenon when pre‐exposure was present. Abstract : The work aims to investigate the effect of pre‐exposure and surface stress concentration on liquid metal embrittlement (LME) of T91 steel in lead–bismuth eutectic. The result found that pre‐exposure played a key role in the occurrence of LME, and surface notch intensified this phenomenon when pre‐exposure was present, which indicates that a low oxygen concentration environment and slight notch on the steel surface should be avoided in the application of martensitic steel components for lead‐based reactor system.