TY - JOUR
T1 - Compatibility of SiC–and MAX phase-based ceramics with a KNO3-NaNO3 molten solar salt
AU - Van Loo, K.
AU - Lapauw, T.
AU - Ozalp, N.
AU - Ström, E.
AU - Lambrinou, K.
AU - Vleugels, J.
PY - 2019/6/15
Y1 - 2019/6/15
N2 - In this work, several ceramic materials were exposed together with two reference structural materials (i.e., 316 L stainless steel and Inconel 600) to a molten solar salt (40 wt% KNO 3 and 60 wt% NaNO 3 ) for 1000 h at 600 °C to investigate their compatibility with the molten salt medium, thus assessing their potential use in concentrated solar power (CSP) applications. The exposed ceramics included different SiC grades (solid state-sintered, liquid phase-sintered, and silicon-infiltrated) and MAX phase-based materials (Maxthal ® 211 & 312 (nominally, Ti 2 AlC & Ti 3 SiC 2 , respectively), Cr 2 AlC, Nb 4 AlC 3 , (Nb,Zr) 4 AlC 3 , and a cermet comprising 40 vol% Fe and 60 vol% (Nb,Zr) 4 AlC 3 ). All SiC grades were chemically stable in the molten salt, whereas all Nb-containing MAX phase ceramics were severely oxidized. Comparing the two Maxthal ® grades showed that the 312 was chemically more stable than the 211, and both grades formed a Na-based oxide scale. Interestingly, Cr 2 AlC showed practically no interaction with the molten salt during the performed exposure, forming a stable, sub-micrometre-thick Cr 7 C 3 scale. Hence, it may be considered as promising structural/coating material candidate for the targeted CSP application.
AB - In this work, several ceramic materials were exposed together with two reference structural materials (i.e., 316 L stainless steel and Inconel 600) to a molten solar salt (40 wt% KNO 3 and 60 wt% NaNO 3 ) for 1000 h at 600 °C to investigate their compatibility with the molten salt medium, thus assessing their potential use in concentrated solar power (CSP) applications. The exposed ceramics included different SiC grades (solid state-sintered, liquid phase-sintered, and silicon-infiltrated) and MAX phase-based materials (Maxthal ® 211 & 312 (nominally, Ti 2 AlC & Ti 3 SiC 2 , respectively), Cr 2 AlC, Nb 4 AlC 3 , (Nb,Zr) 4 AlC 3 , and a cermet comprising 40 vol% Fe and 60 vol% (Nb,Zr) 4 AlC 3 ). All SiC grades were chemically stable in the molten salt, whereas all Nb-containing MAX phase ceramics were severely oxidized. Comparing the two Maxthal ® grades showed that the 312 was chemically more stable than the 211, and both grades formed a Na-based oxide scale. Interestingly, Cr 2 AlC showed practically no interaction with the molten salt during the performed exposure, forming a stable, sub-micrometre-thick Cr 7 C 3 scale. Hence, it may be considered as promising structural/coating material candidate for the targeted CSP application.
KW - Concentrated solar power
KW - MAX phases
KW - Molten salt corrosion
KW - SiC
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85062893699&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.solmat.2019.03.007
DO - 10.1016/j.solmat.2019.03.007
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85062893699
VL - 195
SP - 228
EP - 240
JO - Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
JF - Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
SN - 0927-0248
ER -
