Effects of corrosion on tensile property of 316L fiber felt in lead bismuth eutectic

Based on the operation environment of China Lead-based Research Reactor (CLEAR-I), the tensile properties of filter material-sintered 316L fiber felt exposed to stagnant lead bismuth eutectic (LBE) with 1×10-6 wt% oxygen concentration was investigated at 500℃ for 500 h, 1000h, 1500 h. The results showed that compared to the original fiber felt, the tensile strength of the fiber felts decreased to 67%, 33% and 15% after 500 h, 1000 h and 1500 h, respectively. It was found that the binding strength of the joints and diameter of 316L stainless steel fibers gradually decreased with exposure time due to the compact single-layer (Fe,Cr)3O4 spinel formation on 316L fibers, which was the main cause of tensile strength of sintered 316L fiber felt dropping after LBE corrosion.