LiErO2 formation on Er2O3 in static and natural convection lithium

Er2O3 is candidate material for insulating coating to prevent the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pressure drop in the self-cooled liquid Li blanket system. Although Er2O3 is stable material, detailed chemical behavior in liquid Li is not clear. Corrosion behavior of bulk Er2O3 in Li is investigated in static and flowing condition in the present study. After these tests, good compatibility of Er2O3 was confirmed and slight formation of LiErO2 was detected by XRD analysis. This chemical behavior did not change in a static and flowing tests, however some of the corrosion product of LiErO2 was removed easily by the Li flow. Intensity of LiErO2 peaks in XRD spectrum suggests that the temperature gradient may affect the reaction rate in the natural convection loop. Since corrosion rate of Er2O3 is very small, slight change in state will be important information to evaluate lifetime of coating.