Failure of a Lithium-Filled Target and Some Implications for Fusion Components

In preparation for testing a lithium-helium heat exchanger at Sandia, unexpected rapid failure of the mild steel lithium preheater due to liquid metal embrittlement occurred when lithium at -400 degrees C flowed into the preheater then at -200 degrees C. This happened before the helium system was pressurized or heating with electron beams began. The paper presents an analysis of the preheater plus a discussion of some implications for fusion.