Initial Corrosion Evaluation of Zirconium Alloy Candidate Materials for the ASCB Concept

ABSTRACT

An important issue for the viability of the ASCB fusion blanket concept is the compatibility of zirconium alloys with high temperature aqueous solutions containing dissolved lithium salts. Lithium hydroxide solutions and a specific Zr alloy have been selected for a first series of tests of a more general feasibility study. This paper describes some first results from electrochemical corrosion tests. It indicates that uniform corrosion will probably not be the limiting factor for the ASCB concept. Potential danger for localized corrosion problems should, however, be further evaluated.