Excellent corrosion resistance of 18Cr–20Ni–5Si steel in liquid Pb–Bi

The corrosion properties of three austenitic steels with different Si contents were studied under oxygen-saturated liquid Pb–Bi condition for 3000 h. The three austenitic steels did not exhibit appreciable dissolution of Ni and Cr at 450 °C. At 550 °C, the thick ferrite layer produced by dissolution of Ni and Cr was found in JPCA and 316SS with low Si contents while the protective oxide film composed of Si and O was formed on 18Cr–20Ni–5Si steel and prevented dissolution of Ni and Cr.