Corrosion behaviour of oxide dispersion strengthened iron-chromium steels in liquid lead at 973 K

The corrosion behaviour of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels with different chromium contents (9, 12 and 14 wt% Cr) is investigated in stagnant liquid lead at a temperature of 973 K for 2000 h. Under an oxygen concentration close to the passivation domain (i.e. Co similar to 10(-5)-10(-4) wt% O), neither an internal oxidation zone in the steel matrix, nor dissolution attack caused by liquid lead or its penetration is observed. Indeed, thin layers of chromium rich oxides with different compositions are detected.