E2O3 layer forming on Er plate in high temperature liquid Li

To mitigate magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pressure drop in liquid Li blanket system, Er2O3 coating is under development. Er can oxide in Li and form Er2O3 layer which may have electrical insulating capacity. To investigate formation of Er2O3 layer on Er, immersion tests of Er plate into high temperature Li at 773 K and 973 K are carried out. Li2O was introduced into Li as O agent. Formation of Er2O3 layer was observed by SEM observation and XRD analysis. Formation rate became lower for long-term immersion. Formation of LiErO2 was negligible even for high O concentration condition. From these results, there is possibility that Er can form Er2O3 insulating layer on the surface.