Stability of Some Metals in Molten Sodium Metaphosphate^★

The possibility of dried molten sodium metaphosphate as electrolyte and oxidant in electrochemical cells has been examined experimentally. New results on the resistance of zirconium and zircaloy-2 to corrosion and to anodic dissolution are given. The behavior of titanium and several other metals, copper, iron, and especially nickel, is presented as well. Calcium behaves quite differently, as does platinum. Cells of the general type M₁/molten NaPO₃/M₂ are discussed from the point of view of possible anodes, cathodes, and container materials in electrochemical reactors.