Interaction of alumina with liquid Pb83Li17 alloy

• The role of oxygen in the interaction of alumina with Pb83Li17 alloy was studied.
• Li of Pb83Li17 alloy undergoes oxidation even in flowing high pure argon atmosphere.
• It was seen that alumina reacts with Pb83Li17 alloy at 550 °C to form LiAlO2 compound.
• The reaction is rapid in the presence of oxygen and happens more slowly in the presence of flowing argon.

Eutectic lead lithium (Pb83Li17) alloy is being considered a coolant, neutron multiplier and tritium breeder for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and Fusion Power Reactors (FPR). In order to reduce the magneto-hydrodynamic drag (MHD) and to prevent corrosion of structural materials due to the flow of lead lithium (Pb83Li17) alloy, alumina (Al2O3) is proposed as a candidate ceramic coating material. Interaction of liquid Pb83Li17 alloy with Al2O3 at the operating temperature of these reactors is therefore an important issue. The present paper deals with the characterization of Pb83Li17 alloy and its interaction with Al2O3 at the reactor operating temperature. The interaction was studied using EPMA, XRD and thermal analysis technique. The result indicates that alumina can interact with Pb83Li17 alloy at 550 °C even in high purity argon atmosphere. The role of oxygen in the interaction process has also been discussed.