DEVELOPMENT OF Zr-Nb-Sn ALLOYS FOR REACTOR APPLICATIONS

Technical Report · Sat Oct 31 04:00:00 EST 1964

OSTI ID:4113457

Richter, H; Tverberg, J C

Binary phase diagrams were determined for the zirconium-niobium system at two different oxygen contents. Each diagram showed a definite ternary characteristic due to the oxygen content of the zirconium. Ternary phase diagrams were also developed for the systems zirconiumniobium- hydrogen and zirconium-- niobium-tin. The latter system showed an extremely sluggish transformation rate. It was found that the corrosion behavior of the zirconium- niobium alloys was very strongly dependent on the heat treatment, with the optimum temperature for heat treatment being 580 deg C. An alloy with good properties was developed; its composition was Zr + 3Nb + 1Sn. This alloy had corrosion properties equal to those of Zircaloy-2 and strength and creep properties superior to Zircaloy-2. This alloy is readily welded and can be fabricated into tubes of the sizes required for reactor use. The hydrogen pick- up was found to be less in this alloy than in Zircaloy-2 and the impact strength much better. (auth)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-18-012633
• OSTI ID: 4113457
• Report Number(s): GEAP-4089(Vol.I)(Paper 4)
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ADSORPTION
CORROSION
CREEP
FABRICATION
HEAT TREATMENTS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN
IMPACT SHOCK
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
NIOBIUM ALLOYS
OXYGEN
PHASE DIAGRAMS
PLANNING
REACTORS
STANDARDS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
THERMODYNAMICS
TIN ALLOYS
TUBES
USES
WELDING
ZIRCALOY
ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS