Abstract
Microhardness scans across test specimens were used as a suitable metallurgical technique for determining quantitatively the carburization potential of molten sodium in contact with type 304 stainless steel. The advantage of using hardness data in this manner is that it could be used as a method of analysis of carburization specimens when chemical analyses are not feasible. Results indicated that microhardness values at temperatures of 565, 605, and 650°C could be fitted to curves correlating the hardness to carbon content of liquid sodium. It was found that carbonaceous compounds intentionally mixed in liquid sodium gave a carbon source which produced carburization in the stainless steel test specimens. The capsule methods used for providing and controlling a molten sodium environment for the stainless steel test specimens indicated a need for further study in the use of various capsule-liner materials which are inert to carburization.
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