Corrosion of metallic materials by liquid metal sodium

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You are likely interested in information regarding the corrosion of metallic materials by liquid sodium. Below is a detailed explanation: Key characteristics of corrosion – The corrosion caused by liquid sodium involves physical dissolution and the leaching of specific elements; electrochemical corrosion plays almost no role in this process. At high temperatures, it penetrates along the grain boundaries of the material, leading to intergranular corrosion and embrittlement, which undermines the mechanical properties of the material. Performance of typical corrosion-resistant materials: Among stainless steels resistant to liquid metal corrosion, OCr17Ni14Mo2 can maintain its corrosion resistance in an environment with liquid sodium at 800°C. Conventional austenitic stainless steels can also withstand the corrosion caused by liquid sodium at temperatures up to 600°C, making them suitable for use in applications such as sodium-cooled fast reactors. As primary protective measures, special corrosion-resistant structural materials such as ODS steel and CLAM steel can be used. The addition of alloying elements like Al, Si, and Ce helps to form a dense oxide film on the surface. Additionally, corrosion can be mitigated by controlling the dissolved oxygen concentration in sodium and applying protective coatings on the material’s surface.