Protection of structural steels by diffusion coatings against corrosion in lithium

Blanket materials for dt fusion reactors

“…The corrosion rate of austenitic stainless steel in flowing lithium appears to be excessive unless some type of corrosion barrier is developed. The alumini^ed coating, which has been investigated, may be acceptable [32,33] . The impact of this coating under reactor conditions will require further analysis.…”

Hydrogen permeation resistant layers for liquid metal reactors

“…The phosphate glass is stable in air but unstable in liquid metals, therefore another coating is necessary. Although pure aluminum is not compatible with molten alkali metals, early work (3) showed that aluminum applied to a nickel-chromium stainless steel or a nickel alloy can result in a surface coating of nickel aluminide. DeVan ( 4 ) found that this layer on austenitic stainless steel or high nickel alloys forms a corrosion-and wear-resistant layer in lithium at 500°C.…”