Solubility of metallic elements in LBE under extra low oxygen potential; JFY2001 joint research report

Sano, Hiroyuki*; Fujisawa, Toshiharu*; Furukawa, Tomohiro  ; Aoto, Kazumi 

Lead-Bismuth eutectic alloy(LBE) has been considered as a prospective coolant for a fast-breeder reactor. However a corrosion of the structual material is anticipated when it is used at the similar temperature as sodium coolant. In this study, solubility of major metallic elements in LBE is measured under extra low oxygen potential. The interactive effect of those elements on the solubility is also to be examined. Based on the results of JFY2001, measurements of the solubility of iron in LBE at 1273 K were conducted where the partial pressure of oxygen was controlled by using two equilibrium methods: the oxide equilibrium method and the gas equilibrium method. Analytical condition of oxygen content in LBE was also determined. Several solubility data were obtained. However it was not yet enough to do thermodynamic consideration. From the above results, following subjects were extracted for JFY2003 study. (1)To accumulate the solubility data of iron and oxygen in LBE and to consider them thermodynamically. (2)To obtain the solubility data of the other composition element of stainless steels and to evaluate mutual influence of them.