Effect of metallic li on the surface chemistry of Inconel 625 exposed to molten LiCl-Li₂O-Li

This study explores the surface chemistry of Inconel 625 samples exposed to molten LiCl-Li₂O-Li solutions at 650°C for 500 and 1000hr and aims to understand the effect of solvated Li on corrosion behavior in molten LiCl-Li₂O-Li. The surfaces of Inconel 625 samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The oxide films formed on the surface of the samples in the absence of Li is composed of LiCrO₂, with small contributions of Li₂CrO₄ and NiFe_xCr_2-xO₄. The presence of Li was observed to destabilize these compounds, resulting in a primarily metallic surface with trace amounts of oxidized Cr, Mo, and Nb present depending on the concentration of Li in solution.