Corrosion behavior of IN-RAFM steel with stagnant lead-lithium at 550 °C up to 9000 h

Corrosion study of IN-RAFM (India specific reduced activation ferritic martensitic) steel with static lead-lithium, Pb-16Li has been carried out at 550 °C for different time durations, 2500, 5000 and 9000 h. Flat and tensile IN-RAFM samples were exposed to liquid metal. Exposed samples were analyzed for micro structural observation and chemical composition by scanning electron microscope equipped with EDX (energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer). Micro vickers hardness measurement and tensile testing were also carried out. Corrosion rate of IN-RAFM steel with static Pb-16Li at 550 °C is ∼38 μm/year. After exposure to liquid metal, granule, nodule and pebble like structures were observed in the surface micrographs. Iron, chromium and manganese were found leaching from near surface regions from a depth of ∼15 μm. Hardness reduction was observed up to a depth of ∼15 μm after exposure to liquid metal. There was no significant reduction in the tensile strength. Dimpled ductile fracture was observed after exposure to liquid metal up to 9000 h.