Corrosion prevention of Er2O3 by O control in Li

Corrosion of Er2O3 coatings in liquid Li is crucial issue for Li blanket system development. Recent researches revealed that the Er2O3 forms LiErO2 in Li and the reaction rate depends on the O concentration in Li. In this paper, the detailed chemical behavior of Er2O3 and LiErO2 in Li is investigated to develop a methods to prevent the corrosion of Er2O3. Test of Er2O3 bulk ceramics were carried out with several impurity and Li flow condition. From these corrosion tests, it became clear that LiErO2 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 Er2O3 can be stable in Li with O control, even with flow, or thermal gradient condition.