Progress in Flibe Corrosion Study toward Material Research Loop and Advanced Liquid Breeder Blanket

High purity Flibe was prepared for corrosion study. Fundamental corrosion experiments in static condition were performed on the structural material for Flibe blanket and Material Research Loop, which is non-isothermal forced convection loop simulating the blanket condition. Corrosion rate for the structural materials in static condition was estimated as small as 0.83-5.4 μm/yr in the high purity Flibe. The corrosion rate is acceptable for the structural materials. Main corrosion process was identified as formation of oxide corrosion products and their dissolution into Flibe, therefore oxygen impurity control will reduce corrosion weight loss further. The good compatibility between the fabricated Flibe and the structural materials, and progress in other related R&D indicate feasibility for Material Research Loop and the Flibe blanket.