Effects of Cr3+ on the corrosion of SiC in LiF-NaF-KF molten salt

Effects of Cr3+ on the corrosion of SiC in LiF-NaF-KF molten salt were investigated. Results reveal that Cr3+ can drive the corrosion of SiC. Thickness of the corroded region induced by Cr3+ is greater than 12 μm for 400 h, while the corroded region induced by pure salt is ∼2.5 μm. Corrosion induced by Cr3+ should be attributed to the reactions of Cr3+ with SiC. Cr3+ reacts with SiC to form Cr3C2, Cr7C3, and graphitic carbon in the corroded region of SiC, which results in the dissolution of element Si from SiC into the salt.