Abstract
A molten salt-based process for treatment of spent oxide fuels is under development at the Argonne National Laboratory. A major part of the development effort involves identification of corrosion-resistant structural materials for the process vessels. Coupons of two stainless steels, tantalum, and two Inconel alloys were submitted to a corrosion test in an argon atmosphere with 10% oxygen. The coupons were partially immersed in molten lithium chloride salt containing small amounts of lithium metal, lithium oxide, and lithium nitride. Two sets of coupons were tested, the first at 750°C for 30 days and the second at 650°C for 6 days. Coupons of the first set corroded completely. In the second set of coupons, all corroded to some extent, but Inconel 600 showed the best performance overall. The salt-exposed region generally showed the greatest corrosion in the other coupons. One of the 316L SS coupons was welded and the weld area was severely attacked.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
C. C. McPheeters, E. C. Gay, E. J. Karell, and J. P. Ackerman. J. Met. 49, 22 (1997).
J. E. Indacochea, J. L. Smith, K. R. Litko, and E. J. Karell, J. Mater. Res. 14, 1990 (1999).
G. J. Janz and R. P. T. Tomkins, Corrosion 35, 485 (1979).
G. Y. Lai, J. Met. 43, 54 (1991).
B. W. Burrows and G. J. Hills, Electrochim. Acta 15, 445 (1970).
R. L. Every and R. L. Grimsley, J. Electroanal. Chem. Interfacial Electrochem. 9, 165 (1965).
D. Inman and M. J. Weaver, J. Electroanal. Chem. Interfacial Electrochem. 51, 45 (1974).
M. Takahashi, Y. Katsuyama, and Y. Kanzaki, J. Electroanal. Chem. Interfacial Electrochem. 62, 363 (1975).
X. K. Feng and C. A. Melendres, J. Electrochem. Soc. 129, 1245 (1982).
A. Rahmel, Molten salt technology, D. G. Loverin, ed., Chapter 10 (Plenum Press, New York, 1982), pp. 271–272.
H. J. Grabke, E. Reese, and M. Spiegel, Corros. Sci. 37, 1023 (1995).
D. Bruce and P. Hancock, J. Inst. Met. 97, 140 (1969).
P. Hancock, R. C. Hurst, and R. A. Sollars, Chemical metallurgy of iron and steel (The Iron and Steel Institute, London, 1973), p. 415.
D. Bramhoff, H. J. Grabke, E. Reese, and H. P. Schmidt, Werkst. Korros. 41, 303 (1990).
E. Reese and H. J. Grabke, Werkst. Korros. 43, 547 (1990).
E. Reese and H. J. Grabke, Werkst. Korros. 45, 41 (1990).
N. Birks and G. H. Meier, Introduction to high temperature oxidation of metals (Edward Arnold, New York, 1983), p. 126.
O. K. Kotov, Case-hardening of machine parts by thermo-chemical treatment, 3rd edn. (Izd-vo Mashinostroenie, Moscow, 1969).
Metals Handbook, Desk edn., H. E. Boyer and T. L. Gall, eds. (American Society for Metals, Metals Park, Ohio, 1985).
W. D. Kingery, H. K. Bowen, and D. R. Uhlmann, Introduction to ceramics, 2nd edn. (Wiley, New York, 1976).
V. R. Ryabov, Aluminizing of steel (Metallurgiya Publ., Moscow, 1973).
J. N. Pratt and G. V. Raynor, J. Inst. Met., p. 449 (1951–1952).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Indacochea, J.E., Smith, J.L., Litko, K.R. et al. High-Temperature Oxidation and Corrosion of Structural Materials in Molten Chlorides. Oxidation of Metals 55, 1–16 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010333407304
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010333407304