Compatibility of molten salts with Type 316 stainless steel and lithium

Molten salts with possible application in fusion reactors have been studied. The corrosion rate of Type 316 stainless steel in LiF--BeF/sub 2/, KNO/sub 3/--NaNO/sub 2/--NaNO/sub 3/, and LiF--LiCl--LiBr was strongly affected by the temperature and oxidation potential of the salt. A rapid exothermic reaction occurred when KNO/sub 3/--NaNO/sub 2/--NaNO/sub 3/ was melted with lithium.