Corrosion Performance of Commercial Alloys and Refractory Metals in Conditions for Electrorefining of Spent Nuclear Fuels

Molten LiCl-KCl salt and liquid cadmium are proposed as the electrolyte reactive cathode for electrorefining of spent nuclear fuels, but they can be corrosive to structural alloys. The down-selection existing materials through corrosion testing is necessary ensure longevity electrorefiner vessel electrode assemblies. Haynes C276, Inconel 600, AISI 316L stainless steel, 42CrMo low-alloy steel were exposed a melt at 500 °C h in an argon atmosphere. All alloys suffered from dissolution attacks with presence oxide islands or porous layer on surface. 316L, T91 tungsten specimens submitted tests 120 h. was predominated by chemical oxidation, additional occurrence severe Ni dealloying Cd penetration 316L. Destabilization Cr discovered, resulting formation CdCrO4. Tungsten only attack rate 0.50 mm/a.