Experimental Simulation of the Erosive-Corrosive Wear and Shear Rate Dependence of an Iron and Molten Al-Si Thermal Storage System

Abstract

Metals and metallic alloys have a great potential for their use as high temperature thermal storage materials. Their high density, high latent heat or high thermal conductivity can be optimal for their application as phase change materials. However, the reactivity of molten metals at high operation temperatures needs to be considered in the design process when choosing a container material. Besides, in applications with relative motion between the molten metal and housing (e.g. due to sloshing or when pumping), erosive-corrosive wear can have an important role. In this work, an experimental method has been developed to evaluate the effects of this relative motion using a concentric cylinder rheometer. The influence of different shear rates in the degradation of iron (potential housing material) submerged in Al-12.5%wt. Si (used as the metallic phase change material) has been evaluated, identifying the different phases formed and establishing the potential of this novel experimental technique.