Temperature effect in the maximum propagation rate of a liquid metal filled crack: The T91 martensitic steel/Lead–Bismuth Eutectic system

The liquid metal embrittlement sensitivity of a modified 9Cr1Mo martensitic steel in contact with Lead–Bismuth Eutectic was studied as a function of the temperature in a wide range of deformation rate. A fracture mechanics approach (crack tip opening displacement and J-Δa) combined to a fractographic study was applied to study the maximum brittle crack propagation rate. Comparison of these data with the temperature evolution expected from the stress assisted dissolution model discards this model as the embrittlement mechanism. Thermally activated ductility recovery mechanisms fail to account for the experimental results. However, the data is compatible with a physi-sorption rate limiting process. The adsorption energy extracted from the temperature evolution of the maximum crack propagation rate compares favourably with existing Ab-Initio calculations. This strongly suggests that the LME mechanism is linked with the direct effect of surface adsorption.