Concentration dependence of physical properties of liquid NaF–LiF–NdF3 alloys

• Molten NaF–LiF–NdF3 eutectic and peritectic alloys can be used in liquid salt reactors.
• A stepped dissociation exists well above melting in the both alloys.
• Anomalous properties behaviour proves that a short-range order persists after melting.
• Transformation of structure spread to a wide temperature range in the liquid phase.

Experimental studies of viscosity, thermoelectric power and electrical conductivity of the ionic liquid alloys NaF–LiF–NdF3 were carried out in the wide temperature intervals above the melting points. Similar temperature dependences of these properties for different melt compositions have been revealed. The alloy composition has a significant influence on the interval of melt homogeneity and behaviour of the thermoelectric power temperature coefficient. It was found that a small shift from the peritectic to eutectic composition increases considerable the viscosity. A correlation between the structure and thermophysical properties has been analyzed. The results can be used in modelling a blanket for the liquid salt reactor.