Examination results on reaction of lithium

Asada, Takashi; Kawai, Masataka *

Before the material corrosion tests in lithium, the reactions of lithium with air and ammonia that will be used for lithium cleaning were examined, and the results were as follows. (1)When lithium put into air, surface of lithium changes to black first but soon to white, and the white layer becomes gradually thick. The first black of lithium surface is nitride (LiN) and it changes to white lithium hydroxide (LiOH) by reaction with water in air, and it grows. The growth rate of the lithium hydroxide is about 1/10 in the desiccator (humidity of about 10%) compare with in air. (2)When lithium put into nitrogen, surface of lithium changes to black, and soon changes to brown and cracks at surface. At the same time with this cracking, weight of lithium piece increases and nitridation progresses respectively rapidly. This nitridation completed during 1-2days on lithium rod of 10mm in diameter, and increase in weight stopped. (3)Lithium melts in liquid ammonia and its melting rate is about 2-3 hour to lithium of 1g. The liquid ammonia after lithium melting showed dark brown.