Thermophysical properties in the system Li-Pb. Part I: Preperation and characterization of Li(17)Pb(83) eutectic alloy and the LiPb intermetallic compound

Li(17)Pb(83) and LiPb were prepared from the pure elements in amounts of severa1 hundred grams. The reso1idified samp1es were characterized by me1ting points (eutectic temperature), chemica1 analysis and meta110graphy. Using differential thermal analysis the heats of fusion were determined and the behaviour of the intermetallic phase LiPb in vacuum and high purified He was studied. The resu1ts from these investigations were app1ied to characterize Li(17)Pb(83) prepared in high amounts for technica1 app1ication as a potential liquid breeder material.