Tensile testing of MANET II in flowing Pb–Bi alloy at elevated temperature

Experiments were carried out to study the influence of lead bismuth eutectic (LBE) on the tensile properties of the martensitic CrNiMoVNb steel named MANET II (Martensit for Next European Torus) considered as structural material for the first wall and blanket in fusion reactor conceptual design. In order to investigate a possible liquid metal embrittlement (LME) effect, tensile tests in flowing Pb–Bi at various temperatures (between 180 and 300 °C) were carried out. For comparison of the tensile test results achieved in Pb–Bi, tests were also carried out in the same facility but in an Ar atmosphere at the same temperature. After the tests, the fracture faces of the specimens were examined by SEM to analyse the fracture type (brittle or ductile). Additionally the ruptured specimens were longitudinally sectioned and analysed by metallurgical and SEM examinations.