Corrosion prevention of Er2O3 by O control in Li

Abstract Corrosion of Er 2 O 3 coatings in liquid Li is crucial issue for Li blanket system development. Recent researches revealed that the Er 2 O 3 forms LiErO 2 in Li and the reaction rate depends on the O concentration in Li. In this paper, the detailed chemical behavior of Er 2 O 3 and LiErO 2 in Li is investigated to develop a methods to prevent the corrosion of Er 2 O 3 . Test of Er 2 O 3 bulk ceramics were carried out with several impurity and Li flow condition. From these corrosion tests, it became clear that LiErO 2 is not stable in low O concentration Li, but corrosion can be prevented by O concentration control. Corrosion prevention was tested in flowing Li and it suggests Er 2 O 3 can be stable in Li with O control, even with flow, or thermal gradient condition.