Compatibility tests on steels in molten lead and lead–bismuth

The compatibility of steels with liquid lead and liquid lead–bismuth is a critical issue for the development of accelerator-driven system (ADS). In this work the results of a set of preliminary tests carried out in stagnant molten lead at 737 K and in lead–bismuth at 573, 673 and 749 K are summarised. The tests were conducted for 700, 1200, 1500 and 5000 h. Three steels were tested: two martensitic steels (mod. F82H and MANET II) and one austenitic steel (AISI 316L). The martensitic steels underwent oxidation phenomena at the higher testing temperature, due to oxygen dissolved in the melts. At a lower test temperature (573 K) and higher exposure time (5000 h) the oxidation rate of the martensitic steel seems to be lower and the developed oxide layer protective against liquid metal corrosion. The austenitic steel, in turn, exhibited an acceptable resistance to corrosion–oxidation under the test conditions.