Bending tests on T91 steel in Pb-Bi eutectic, Bi and Pb-Li eutectic

The influence of specific liquid metals on the behaviour of the ferritic/martensitic steel T91 are investigated to understand better the processes taking place at the metal surface. Of special interest is particularly if there is a penetration of selected elements out of the melt along grain boundaries. Metallurgical investigation, SEM and EDX analyses analysis were performed on bent T91 specimens exposed to static LBE, Bi and Pb-17Li at 300 degreesC for 1000 h. Steel T91 was used in the standard and specially annealed conditions. It is shown that the heat treatment of the steel has a strong influence on the corrosion resistance. Additionally the strain affected on the component is responsible for the occurrence of LME. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.