Mercury corrosion of the refractory metals W, Mo, Ta and Cb-1Zr was studied in natural circulation quartz loops with two-phase mercury at temperatures from 593 to 703 C (1095-1295 F). Three thousand hour tests on these materials indicate that Ta and W showed no attack or weight loss and could not be detected in the mercury. Mo and Cb-1Zr alloy were detected in trace amounts in the mercury.
Similar tests in quartz loops on Types 304 and 410 stainless steel also were completed. Effectiveness of small additions of Ti to the mercury in preventing corrosion was evaluated. Results indicate that Ti when added to mercury is effective in reducing mass transfer of Type 410 stainless steel but appears to increase both the depth of corrosion and weight loss of Type 304.
