Effect of temperature on the corrosion behaviors of 304 stainless steel in static liquid lithium

The study of the corrosion behaviors of structural materials exposed to liquid lithium (Li) is very important for the application of liquid Li as a potential plasma-facing or blanket material in future fusion device. It was demonstrated that the temperature plays an important role in the corrosion process. The corrosion behaviors of 304 stainless steel (304SS) in static liquid Li at 600 K and 640 K for 1320 h under high vacuum have been compared in the present work. The results show that the weight loss and corrosion depth of the 304SS specimens in static liquid Li at 640 K are about 3 times more than those at 600 K. After exposure to liquid Li, all the surfaces produce non-uniform damage which includes pitting and grain boundary corrosion. The surface damage of 304SS specimens at 640 K is more serious than that at 600 K. The corrosion mechanisms include physical dissolution and chemical corrosion; the effect of the latter on the corrosion behavior at 640 K is much more than that at 600 K.