Li Corrosion and Flow Behavior of Additive Manufactured Refractory Metal Components

Liquid lithium (Li) is considered an attractive candidate for Plasma Facing Components (PFC) in magnetic confinement fusion devices due to its high heat and particle exhaust capabilities, self-replenishing property, and potential for confinement improvement. Additive-manufactured structures made of refractory metal, such as tungsten (W), gained interest as solid substrates for Li PFCs to improve the uniformity and stability of Li flow.



Li compatibility of additive-manufactured samples of refractory metals, including W, is investigated by immersing the samples in static liquid Li up to 923 [K] for 100 [hour]. Mass defects are quantified, and surface characterization with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) is performed to analyze surface morphology and composition changes. In addition, an additive-manufactured rectangular mesh is introduced to the free surface Li flow inside the Test Housing for Advanced Liquid Alloy Surface Studies and Applications (THALASSA). Visible and IR cameras are used to characterize the Li flow on the mesh. In future investigations, small additive-manufactured samples will be exposed to He plasma in the HIDRA stellarator at the University of Illinois to examine plasma-induced surface damage and its potential effect on Li flow and corrosion behaviors.

Work supported by U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, Liquid Metal Plasma Facing Development Program, Award Number DE-SC0024570.