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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

PHASE TRANSFORMATION IN ZIRCONIUM 10-25% NIOBIUM ALLOYS

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4781208
Zirconium-niobium alloys were studied to develop new matrixes for dispersed plutonium oxide and carbide fuels. Transformation reactions for zirconium base niobium alloys are described. The monotectoid temperature occurs at 597.5 plus or minus 1.5 deg C and the maximum solubility of niobium in zirconium is 2%. Two transformation reactions can occur in alloys containing 10-- 25% niobium. Transformation in the temperature range 450--600 deg C results first in the precipitation of alpha zirconium and finally in the decomposition of the high-temperature BETA phase into the equilibrium forms of alpha zirconium and BETA niobium. Below 400 deg C, a metastable omega phase can occur. In the higher range of temperatures, an increase in niobium content in alloys of this range of compositions results in an increased incubation period and decreased reaction rates for the transformation. (auth)
Research Organization:
Centre d'Etude de l'Energie Nucleaire; and Societe Belge pour l'Industrie Nucleaire, Brussels (Belgium)
NSA Number:
NSA-16-030783
OSTI ID:
4781208
Report Number(s):
EURAEC-283; BN-6203-11
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English