Characteristics and Liquid Metal Embrittlement of the steel T91 in contact with Lead-Bismuth Eutectic

This paper summarizes results of the work carried out on the evaluation of the susceptibility to LME (Liquid Metal Embrittlement) of the ferritic/martensitic steel T91 in contact with LBE (Lead-Bismuth Eutectic). The influence of LBE on the fracture toughness of the steel was studied using 0.5T CT specimen at 355 °C, pre-cracked by cyclic loading in the liquid metal. Tests were carried out in well-defined conditions and according to ASTM standard. It was observed that the LBE decreased the apparent fracture toughness, JIC, by more than 30%, compared to the value in air. The results are discussed based on examinations of the fracture surface evidencing LME occurrence. The stretch zone accompanying the pre-crack tip blunting was not observed in the specimens exhibiting LME. Therefore, a new fracture toughness, Jmap, determined as J integral at the maximum applied load, is proposed to be the appropriate value for fracture resistance evaluation in LBE. The Jmap can be applied for the assessment of a pre-existing LME crack stability.