Corrosion mechanisms of Eurofer produced by lithium ceramics under fusion relevant conditions. (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hernández, T.; Gázquez, M. Carmona; Sánchez, F.J.; Malo, M.
• Is Part Of: Nuclear materials and energy. Volume 15(2018)
• Page Start: 110
• Page End: 114
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: HCPB -- Corrosion -- Purge gas -- Lithium ceramics; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear fuels -- Periodicals; Nuclear reactors -- Materials -- Periodicals; Radioactive substances -- Periodicals; 621.4833
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nme.2018.03.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-1791

Abstract

Highlights: Silica excess in the lithium orthosilicate favors the formation of vitreous corrosion layers that adhere to the Eurofer and passive it. Lithium titanate produces corrosion layers of oxidic-like that do not protect the Eurofer. The addition of a small proportion of water to the purge gas produces a slight increase in corrosion. Abstract: Advanced lithium-rich ceramic materials are under consideration for the helium cooled pebble - bed breeder unit prototype in ITER. Although chemical compatibility issues with reduced activation steels have in general been associated with liquid breeders, corrosion has also been observed to be produced by some solid compositions under specific conditions. In this work, the mechanisms including the corrosion process considering different lithium ceramics (lithium orthosilicate and lithium metatitanate) are examined, together with the influence of temperature and exposure time. The effect of the composition of the purge gas, intended for tritium extraction, is also evaluated. Corrosion in Eurofer was found to severely occur for metatitanate composition, where temperature plays a major role. Corrosion in Eurofer is produced all over the sample (out of contact areas), as a consequence of the gas swept.