Magnetic field effect on the corrosion processes at the Eurofer –Pb–17Li flow interface

Significance Statement

Corrosion tests in flowing Pb-17Li eutectic (velocity 5 cm/s at 550 ºC, 1000 h) under a strong magnetic field (B = 1.7 T) were performed to study the RAFM steel (Eurofer) response in fusion conditions.

The results indicate that the magnetic field induces a faster crushing of martensite into the grains, a deeper dissolution of grain boundaries, an enhancement of the Fe and Cr mass transfer and a fast detachment of corrosion layers due to MHD effects.

Since the main mechanism of corrosion for Eurofer is the dissolution of iron and chromium in the Pb-Li eutectic liquid flow. The presence of the magnetic field intensifies the process, which in structural aspect has a multilevel character. Macroscopically, on the surface of steel, the presence of a high dissolution wave-like zone oriented in the flow direction and perpendicular to the magnetic field was observed (see figure); at the same time, the micro-structural analysis showed a strong corrosion attack not only at the grain boundaries, but also inside the grains leading to destruction of the martensitic matrix.

In the presence of the magnetic field the corrosion layer consists of a single phase with a constant Pb to Li ratio. Chromium and iron are introduced into the corrosion layer as separate aggregates or crystalline phases forming an inhomogeneous mixture with PbLi eutectic. The magnetic field increases the Cr and Fe mass transfer processes and produces a micro-hardness decrease close to the contact surface. The fast erosion is also caused by MHD effects.

About the author

Name: Faina Muktepavela 

Laboratory of Surface Physics at the Institute of Solid State Physics (ISSP),University of Latvia (UL). 32 Miera Street, LV-2169, Latvia.

Tel.:+ 37167944700, E-Mail: [email protected]

Work experience

1967 -1968  Engineer at the Institute of   Radioizotope Devices in Riga

1968- 1980   Researcher at the Institute of Physics,(IP), Laboratory of Surface Physics

1980 –  1993   Senior researcher at IP Laboratory of Surface Physics

1993  Senior researcher at the Institute of Solid State Physics  (ISSP),University of Latvia (UL) ,

2009- 2011  Head of Surface Physics Laboratory at ISSP,UL

2012- now  Senior researcher at  ISSP, UL

Key expertise

Senior researcher at Laboratory of Surface Physics at the Institute of Solid State Physics  (ISSP),University of Latvia (UL)

Current interest

– Structure and properties of grain boundaries and interfaces in functional nanostructured   materials (ceramics; metals, thin films)

– Corrosion and wetting problems in nuclear materials; Superplasticity, and brittleness of steel and alloys.

Publications

More 40 papers in Scopus, 2 Latvian patents

Selected publications

  1. Shishko, F.Muktepavela, A.Kļukins, E.Platacis, The effect of divertora poloidal magnetic field on the liquid metal thin film flow. Magnetohydrodynamics,(2014) 50, N2 pp. 207-216.
  2. Sursaeva, A.Gornakova, F.Muktepavela. Grain Boundary ridges slow down boundary motion. (2014) Mater.Lett. 124,24-27
  3. Carmona Gázquez, T. Hernández, F. Muktepavela, E. Platacis, A. Shishko Magnetic field effect on the corrosion processes at the Eurofer–Pb–17Li flow interface J.Nucl. Mat. 465 (2015) 633-639.
  4. Muktepavela, L. Grigorjeva, K. Kundzins, E. Gorokhova, P. Rodnyi. Structure, nanohardness and photoluminescence of ZnO ceramics based on nanopowders. Phys.Scr. 90 (2015) 094018. 

About the author

Name: María Isabel Carmona

Address: National Laboratory for Magnetic Fusion. CIEMAT , Avda. Complutense, 22 28040 Madrid, Spain

Tel.: +3414962574, E-Mail: [email protected]

Work experience

2014 – Nowadays CIEMAT (Madrid, Spain). PhD Student.

2012 – 2013 CNA (Seville, Spain). Co-worker.

2009 – 2010 Philips Extreme UV GmbH Aachen, Germany. Internship student.

Current interest:

– Corrosion and compatibility studies of liquid metal related to fusion reactors.

– Characterization and qualification of materials related to fusion.

Selected publications

  1. M. Carmona Gázquez et al. Magnetic field effect on the corrosion processes at the Eurofer-Pb-17Li flow interface; Journal of Nuclear Materials 465 (2015) 633-639.
  2. M.C. Jiménez-Ramos, J. García López, M. García-Muñoz, M. Rodríguez-Ramos, M. Carmona Gázquez, B. Zurro; Characterization of scintillator materials for fast-ion loss detectors in nuclear fusion reactors; Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 332 (2014) 216–219. 

About the author

Name: Ernests Platacis

Address: Institute of Physics, 32 Miera Street, LV-2169, Latvia.

Tel.: +371 67944700, E-Mail: [email protected]

Work experience

1967-1983:  Design engineer of Nuclear Reactor of Institute of Physics

1983-1998:    Head of Liquid Metal Department of Institute of Physics

1998 -2014:   Head of Physical Hydromechanics Laboratory of Institute of Physics

1967: Industrial engineer.

1983: Candidate of Technical sciences.

1992: Doctor Phys.

Key expertise

Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) – electromagnetic pumps, a different electromagnetic devices (flow meters, pressure meters, lever sensors etc.) , liquid metal control systems of nuclear reactors, liquid metal loops and cooling systems of nuclear reactors.

Current interest:

MHD machines and elements for model of Neutron Spallation source targets (MEGAPIE; SNS; EURISOL ,ESS-AB projects), liquid metal related to fusion reactors.

Publications

Dr. Platacis is co-author of 120 scientific and technical papers and conference presentations. He has 13  patents.

Selected publications

  1. Platacis E. et. Al. A comparison between the chemical behaviour of lead-gold and lead- bismuth eutectics towards stainless steel; Radiochim. Acta 101, 637 – 643 (3013).
  2. Platacis E. et. al. Investigation of the Li-Pb flow corrosion attack on the surface of P91 steel in the presence of magnetic field; Magnetohydrodynamics. -2012. – Nr.48(2). – 343.-350. lpp.
  3. Platacis et al. A comparative study on the compatibility of liquid lead-gold eutectic and liquid lead-bismuth eutectic with T91 and SS 316LN steels; Journal of Nuclear Materials.- 2012. – Nr. 431. – 113. – 119. lpp.
  4. Platacis et al. ISTTOK tokamak plasmas influence on a liquid gallium jet dynamic behavior; Journal of Nuclear Materials. – 2011. – Nr. 415 – 989. – 992. lpp.
  5. Platacis E. Integral geometry and coolant choises for solid high power neutron spallation targets; Nuclear instruments and methods in Physics Research, Section A Volume 761 p.p. 58-68
  6. Platacis E. et.al. Gravitational flow of the thin film of liquid metal in a strong magnetic field ; Fusion Engineering and Design, submitted 03.11.2013. 

About the author

Name: Teresa Hernández

Address: National Laboratory for Magnetic Fusion. CIEMAT ,  Avda. Complutense, 22 28040 Madrid, Spain

Tel.: +3414962581,  E-Mail: [email protected]

Work experience

1981-1986:  M. Sc. in Chemistry (UCM) Madrid

1990: PhD degree in Chemistry. (UCM) Madrid

1992-now: Researcher at CIEMAT.

Key expertise

Senior researcher at National Laboratory for Magnetic Fusion of CIEMAT. Materials department (Spain). Expert in Material Science.

Current interest:

-Corrosion and compatibility studies of liquid metal related to fusion reactors.

-Fusion Reactor Materials and Radiation Damage.

-R&D on Physical Properties of SiC and SiC/SiC Compounds and Ceramics related to fusion reactors.

Publications

Dra. Hernandez is co-author of more than 40 scientific and technical papers and conference presentations.

Selected publications

  1. Hernández, and E.R. Hodgson “Water Hydraulic Components under Irradiation. Mechanical Properties”. Fusion. Eng. Des 82 (2007) 2035-2039
  2. Hernandez, A. Moroño, and E.R. Hodgson ”Radiation enhanced degradation of SiO overcoated aluminium mirrors” Fusion Engineering and Design 74 (2005)  793-796
  3. Hernández, J. Manzano. E.R. Hodgson “BA materials activities: Radiation Induced Electrical Degradation of HP SiC” Fusion Engineering and Design 84 (2009) 1357-1360.
  4. R. Hodgson, M. Malo, J. Manzano, A.Moroño, T. Hernández. “Radiation Induced Modification of Electrical Conductivity for Three Types of SiC” Journal of Nuclear Materials 417 (2011) 421-424.
  5. Carella and T. Hernández “Ceramics for fusion Reactors. The role of the Lithium orthosilicate as breeder” Phisica B 407 (2012) 4431-4435
  6. Piedad Martin, Teresa Hernandez, Andrei Goussarov, Eric R. Hodgson, Andrey M. Litnovsky, Mario Di Fino, Francesco Orsitto. “Ceramics for fusion Reactors. Irradiation of KU1 and KS-4V substrate SiO2 overcoated Al mirrors” Fus. Eng. Design 88 (2013) 1224-1227
  7. Hernández, P. Fernández, R. Vila. “Corrosion Susceptibility of EUROFER97 in Lithium Ceramic Breeders” Journal of Nuclear Materials 446 (2014) 117-123. 

Magnetic field effect on the corrosion processes at the Eurofer Pb–17Li flow interface-Advances in Engineering

Journal Reference

Journal of Nuclear Materials, Volume 465, 2015, Pages 633–639.

Carmona Gázquez1, T. Hernández1, F. Muktepavela2, E. Platacis3, A. Shishko3

[expand title=”Show Affiliations”]
  1. National Laboratory for Magnetic Fusion, CIEMAT, Avda. Complutense 22, 28040 Madrid, Spain
  2. Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, 8 Kengaraga Str., LV-1063 Riga, Latvia
  3. Institute of Physics, University of Latvia, 32 Miera 32, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
[/expand]

Abstract

Structural and elemental analyses of the RAFM steel (EUROFER 97) interface with flowing Pb–17Li eutectic (velocity 5 cm/s at 550 °C, 1000 h) under the action of a strong magnetic field (B = 1.7 T) were performed using optical microscopy, SEM, confocal microscopy, precision micro-hardness methods, SIMS and point or line-scan EDX analyses. The results show that the magnetic field induces a faster crushing of martensite into the grains, a deeper dissolution of grain boundaries, an enhancement of the Fe and Cr mass transfer and a fast detachment of corrosion layers due to MHD effects.

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