Mechanical properties of the steel T91 in contact with lead

Interaction of the steel T91 with the liquid Pb, issue of main concern for LFR, has been studied. The experimental cell CALLISTO was designed and manufactured in the aim of carrying out mechanical testing of materials immersed in the liquid metal to study sensitivity to Liquid Metal Embrittlement, LME. Several tensile tests were carried out in CALLISTO, with Pb. Experimental variables considered were the surface state and the temperature. When testing notched specimens and inducing wetting, it was observed that loaded specimens showed the typical features of the embrittlement induced by LM in their fracture surfaces. Results are discussed in terms of effect of the environment on the mechanical properties of the steel T91 and the brittle features observed in the fracture surface.