Materials systems for inhibiting penetration of molten salts, methods therefor, and devices provided therewith

A materials system that is resistant to penetration of a molten salt, the materials system being present within a molten-salt-facing wall of a device for containing a molten salt bath at an elevated temperature, the materials system comprising:

• a first layer comprising a first material and defining an outer surface of the materials system for direct contact with the molten salt bath, the first layer possessing resistance to erosion in the molten salt at the elevated temperature, and possessing resistance to corrosion in the molten salt at the elevated temperature, the first layer being penetrable by the molten salt at the elevated temperature;
• a second layer comprising a second material and located adjacent to the first layer, the first layer located between the second layer and the outer surface of the materials system, the second layer exhibiting little or no wetting by the molten salt so that at least a portion of a thickness of the second layer is not penetrable by the molten salt;
• and
• a third layer comprising a third material and located adjacent to the second layer, the third layer being porous and exhibiting a low thermal conductivity at the elevated temperature.