LiCl-KCl Induced Corrosion of Copper at Low Temperature

Structural materials for PRIDE system are stainless steel and copper mainly. And these are known for maintaining integrity when there is no oxygen and water. But physicochemical behavior of structural materials of PRIDE system when there is some of oxygen and water is lack of research. And when local corrosion is occurred, it can cause crack, so that it will be a big problem of safety and economic efficiency. So evaluation of thermodynamical and mechanical stabilities of structural materials for PRIDE system is necessary to predict lifetime of materials and time to replace the part of the equipment. There is no research of evaluation of long-term structural stability of structural materials for PRIDE system now. The present work investigates how LiCl-KCl molten salts influence the low temperature corrosion of copper. From the corrosion test, we can confirm that LiCl-KCl salt accelerates the corrosion of copper at low temperature. It was observed by surface analysis and gravimetry. The corrosion pattern is general corrosion and corrosion rate is increased as the temperature and time go up