INFLUENCE OF A MAGNETIC-FIELD ON THE CORROSION OF AUSTENITIC AND MARTENSITIC STEELS BY SEMI-STAGNANT PB17LI

The influence of a magnetic field on the compatibility of 316L austeni tic and 1.4914 martensitic steels with Pb17Li has been studied in cond itions simulating the special features of the water-cooled Pb17Li blan ket (low Pb17Li velocity, significant radial thermal gradient and shor t distances between hot and cold zones). In the 420-475 degrees C temp erature range, the results show an increase of the corrosion rate in t he presence of a magnetic field. This increase is about 50% for 316L s teel and 30% for 1.4914 martensitic steel. Moreover the magnetic field induces a loss of symmetry in the deposition process: the amount of r ecovered deposit is greater in the direction parallel to the magnetic field than in the perpendicular one.