DEPOSITION BEHAVIOR OF FERROUS-ALLOYS IN MOLTEN LEAD LITHIUM

The mass transfer of type 316 stainless steel in Pb-17 at% Li was studied using a thermal convection loop operating at a maximum temperature of 500-degrees-C to generate mass change and surface composition data as a function of time and loop position. Data analysis indicated that particles suspended in the flowing liquid metal (particularly those containing nickel) probably played a significant role in overall transport and deposition. There was also some evidence of physical detachment of deposits. The deposition of chromium (but not nickel) correlated with the temperature dependence of solubility, as did previous weight change results from a study of ferritic (Fe-Cr) steels in nonisothermal Pb-17 at% Li. Due to the influence of particulate matter in the liquid metal and deposit detachment, mass transfer prediction for austenitic (Fe-Cr-Ni) steels in Pb-17 at% should be more complicated than that for Fe-Cr steels.