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Thermodynamic and kinetic studies of oxygen behavior in tantalum-based alloys

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:5701918
The experimental study of equilibrium and kinetic properties of oxygen in tantalum-based alloys was made by EMF measurements on solid electrolytic cells over the temperature range of 600-1100/sup 0/C. The terminal solubility of oxygen in tantalum was determined to be c/sub s/ = 12.4 exp (-(15.5 kJ/mole)/RT) over the experimental temperature range. It was concluded that oxygen obeys Henry's law for concentrations up to the terminal solubility in tantalum for the temperature range 600 to 1100/sup 0/C. The oxygen activity coefficient increased with Mo content in Ta-Mo alloys and decreased with V content in Ta-V alloys. The equilibrium results showed virtually no disturbance in thermodynamic behavior of oxygen solution by adding Nb to Ta-O alloys. The oxygen diffusion in tantalum was not significantly modified by small addition of Nb, V, Mo, Ni and Ti. The addition of W in tantalum had a larger effect in lowering oxygen diffusivity in Ta-W alloys. By alloying Cr with Ta, the oxygen diffusivity was lowered by more than an order of magnitude.
Research Organization:
Illinois Univ., Urbana (USA)
OSTI ID:
5701918
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English