Wetting of Fe-Cr based ODS steels by molten Pb

Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) steels, Fe-Cr (ferritic or martensitic) with a fine Y2O3 dispersion (0,5 %), are promising structural materials for high aggressive environments. In order to improve the efficiency and lifetime of cladding materials for Liquid Metal Fast Reactors (LMFR), where lead is used as coolant, a selection of a reference ODS steels, i.e. ferritic (> 12 Cr) or martensitic (9 Cr), is under consideration. Interfacial properties of liquid Pb/ODS steels are key features for the selection.The wettability of ODS steels (12 & 14 Cr) by liquid lead has been evaluated as a function of temperature (T = 823-1093 K) and time by the sessile drop method. The influence of the working atmosphere on the contact angle value has been also investigated. The influence of the working atmosphere on the contact angle value has been also investigated. Microstructural characterization (SEM/EDX) of the surface and the cross section of each sample has been carried out.