Corrosion of V–Ti–Cr alloys in liquid lithium: influence of alloy composition and concentration of nitrogen in lithium

The effect of V–(0–70)Ti–(0–30)Cr (at.%) compositions on their compatibility with nitrogen-containing lithium (0.0015–0.67 at.% N) at 7000°C under steady-state test conditions and long-term contact with lithium (up to 2000 h) has been studied. The conditions for formation and stable coexistence of nitride layers on the surface of various compositions under variable nitrogen concentration in lithium have been defined. The V–(8–10)Ti–(4–5)Cr compositions showed the best characteristics from the standpoint of corrosion resistance, nitride layer stability under conditions of variable nitrogen concentration in lithium, and the possibility of ‘in situ’ protective nitride layer formation.