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Carbon Transfer in Sodium System Under Thermal Cycling-Possibility of “Metal Dusting”

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Abstract

High temperature sodium systems encounter thermal cycling during operation. Under this condition, the behavior of carbon dissolved in sodium needs special attention. Carbon chemistry of sodium is very complex because of the existence of multiple carbon-bearing species. In addition, carbon exists both in the dissolved (“active”) and undissolved (“inactive”) forms. Under thermal cycling conditions, as the temperature is lowered, carbon may precipitate as sodium acetylide. The equilibrium carbon activity imparted by this species is high enough to cause the precipitation of iron carbide (Fe3C) in ferrous alloys. The Fe3C may be destabilized at lower activities of carbon in the environment (when the temperature is increased) and may decompose to a fine dispersion of metal and graphite. This phenomenon of “metal dusting” is extremely detrimental to the components of sodium systems. The article analyses the possibility of “metal dusting” in an operating sodium system.

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Acknowledgment

I wish to acknowledge Dr. R.K. Dayal, Head Corrosion Science and Technology Division of this Organization for allowing me to carry out this assessment.

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  1. Corrosion Science and Technology Division, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, 603 102, Tamil Nadu, India

    S. Rajendran Pillai

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Correspondence to S. Rajendran Pillai.

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Rajendran Pillai, S. Carbon Transfer in Sodium System Under Thermal Cycling-Possibility of “Metal Dusting”. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 20, 1140–1143 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-010-9763-5

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