Volumetric Properties of Ternary Liquid Li–K–Pb Alloys with High Lead Content
摘要
The density of twelve ternary liquid lithium–potassium–lead alloys with Li contents from 5 at.% to 14 at.%, K from 3 at.% to 13 at.%, and Pb from 74 at.% to 88 at.% was measured for the first time using a gamma-ray attenuation technique. Density measurements were performed in the temperature range from the liquidus to 980 K. The liquidus surface and the relative excess molar volume diagram were constructed for ternary alloys in the studied concentration region. It was shown that the Li–K–Pb system contains a ternary eutectic with a melting temperature (TE = 491.6 ± 1.5 K) lower than those of pure lead and the binary eutectics Pb90.7K9.3 and Pb84.3Li15.7. Detailed measurements of the density and the volumetric thermal expansion coefficient of the near-eutectic Li13K4Pb83 alloy were carried out in solid and liquid states. In the present study, the Li13K4Pb83 melt is considered as an alternative to lead and other lead-containing coolants in nuclear power. Recommended data tables for the studied properties of Li13K4Pb83 over the entire measurement range were developed together with estimates of their uncertainties.