Adsorption-Induced Embrittlement by Liquid Metals

Examination of cadmium safety rod thermal test specimens and failure mechanism evaluation

“…Aluminurr, and the constituent elements of austenitic stainless steel (Fe, Ni and Ct) st_dnless steels form tntermetallics and liquid aluminum can dissolve large .amounts of these elemems (as discussed in the next section), Thus, it is unlikely that Al would cause LME of austenitic stainless steel, The available experimental evidence supports this assumption (Kamdar 1983 andDillon 1990), Based oT_the "inert carrier" concept (Westwood andl.,atanision 1970 andKamdar 1983) protective films are mechanically disrupted. However, as discussed below, the surface of the U-bend coupons were sanded to remove the protective oxide film prior to immersion in the liquid cadmium.…”

General Overview: Atomistics of Environmentally-Induced Fracture

“…The prerequisites for the embrittlement of an otherwise ductile solid metal by an active liquid metal appear to be as follows 5 , 6 :…”