Liquid metal corrosion of T91 and A316L materials in Pb–Bi eutectic at temperatures 400–600 °C

The corrosion resistance of T91 and A316L materials was tested in stagnant liquid lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE). The materials were exposed for 175, 500, 1250, 2300 and 3000 h at temperatures from 425 to 600 °C under 5%H2 + Ar cover gas atmosphere. Severe corrosion occurred at temperatures above 500 °C where three corrosion modes were distinguished: stable oxide film mode, transition mode, and final dissolution mode featuring Cr and Ni leaching and material loss. The principle corrosion mechanisms were uniform penetration and dissolution of the penetrated volumes. At these temperatures (>500 °C) T91 had a better corrosion resistance (corrosion rate ∼ ⩽137 μm/year) compared to A316L (⩽250 μm/year). The transition corrosion mode continued 2–3 times longer for T91 material due to residual oxides found even after 3000 h of exposure. At low temperatures (<450 °C) both materials showed good corrosion resistance but A316L performed better than T91 with corrosion rates 2–5 times lower.