Corrosion of some candidate structural materials for lead fast reactors

Abstract

Among the six types of reactors of great importance for Generation IV, at European level, is the Lead Fast Reactor (LFR). The most challenging aspect of lead - based technology is the corrosive nature of this liquid metal that requires careful oxygen control and the use of structural materials with high corrosion resistance. The purpose of this paper is to present the structural materials of the main equipment from a LFR and to describe the processes related to their degradation. The paper contains experimental results obtained through the exposure of structural materials in the presence of liquid lead. After testing, the materials were analysed by visual examination, optical microscopy and microhardness determinations. The paper also presents new research directions to be approached in order to know in detail the processes that occur when the metallic materials come into contact with liquid lead.