A review of steel corrosion by liquid lead and lead–bismuth

Liquid metal technologies for liquid lead and lead–bismuth alloy are under wide investigation and development for advanced nuclear energy systems and waste transmutation systems. Material corrosion is one of the main issues studied a lot recently in the development of the liquid metal technology. This study reviews steel corrosion by liquid lead and lead–bismuth, including the corrosion inhibitors and the formation of the protective oxide layer. The available experimental data are analyzed by using a corrosion model in which the oxidation and scale removal are coupled. Based on the model, long-term behaviour of steels in liquid lead and lead–bismuth is predictable. This report provides information for the selection of structural materials for typical nuclear reactor coolant systems when selecting liquid lead or lead–bismuth as heat transfer media.