Experiments on Eurofer Steel Corrosion by Pb-16Li

Corrosion samples of the EUROFER 97 steel were exposed to Pb-16Li in the LIFUS II loop at 480°C and 550°C, with a liquid metal velocity of about 0,01 m/s in agreement with the foreseen operative conditions of the HCLL (Helium Cooled Lithium Lead) blanket concept. The specimens were extracted after 1500, 3000 and 4500 hours exposure at the lower temperature, while a further time step of 6000 hours was added at the higher temperature. After extraction, weight change measurements and metallurgical analysis were performed on the corrosion specimens. The experimental results demonstrated a linear corrosion mechanism, together with no preferential elemental depletion of the steel in contact with the liquid alloy. In this paper the results are reported and discussed with reference to previous similar works.