Publications Details
Isothermal corrosion testing of steels in molten nitrate salts
Tests were performed to evaluate the corrosivity of several nitrate salt mixtures on the containment materials likely to be used in a molten-salt solar central receiver power plant. Objective was to determine if common salt impurities (e.g., chloride) aggravate corrosion. The test was conducted for 7008 hours on A36 carbon steel at 320C and 304 and 316 stainless steels at 570C. Seven salt mixture containing a variety of impurity concentrations were used. Corrosion rates were determined by descaled weight loss for coupons removed periodically from the melts. The nitrate mixtures were analyzed for changes in impurity levels and accumulation of soluble corrosion products. Test results indicate generally that corrosion is slow and that impurities do not contribute dramatically to corrosion rates of carbon and stainless steels.