Structural characterization of lead–bismuth eutectic corrosion of stainless steel by ultrasonic and metallographic analysis

Metallic test coupons subjected to corrosion in a lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) were analyzed by both ultrasound and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The advantages and disadvantages of each method are given, and the possibility of using ultrasound as a screening process for SEM is presented. Visual data from each method are given, and the data derived from each method are compared and contrasted. Use of both ultrasound and SEM is recommended for future analysis of corrosion coupons, and development of a better methodology will increase the portion of the analysis workload obtainable by ultrasound.