Liquid Metal Embrittlement Susceptibility of the Transformation-Induced Plasticity Steel/Lead–Bismuth Eutectic System

Cholidah Akbar Fitriani, Lisa Claeys, Serguei Gavrilov, Kim Verbeken

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    Liquid metal embrittlement (LME) is one of the main concerns in the development of new generations of nuclear reactors, such as lead-cooled fast reactor systems. Many research efforts have not been able to reveal the mechanisms responsible for having LME-sensitive phases (ferrite/martensite) and LME-insensitive phases (austenite). Transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steels combine LME insensitive and sensitive phases but are not studied in lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) yet. This work aims to investigate the LME susceptibility of TRIP steel in contact with LBE by slow strain rate tensile tests at 350 °C and (Formula presented.) strain rate. In addition, the role of the surface features on the LME susceptibility is also discussed. The obtained results show that TRIP steel is highly susceptible to LME. Corrosion by the liquid LBE, surface degradation effects due to the electrical discharge machining surface finish, the TRIP effect, and mechanical degradation by LBE are all identified to have a certain impact on this severe ductility reduction in the TRIP/LBE system.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number2400268
    JournalSteel Research international
    Volume95
    Issue number8
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Aug 2024

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Condensed Matter Physics
    • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
    • Metals and Alloys
    • Materials Chemistry

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