Method of increasing the phase stability and the compressive yield strength of uranium-1 to 3 wt. % zirconium alloy

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:865943

Anderson, Robert C ^[1]

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1. Crossville, TN

A uranium-1 to 3 wt. % zirconium alloy characterized by high strength, high ductility and stable microstructure is fabricated by an improved thermal mechanical process. A homogenous ingot of the alloy which has been reduced in thickness of at least 50% in the two-step forging operation, rolled into a plate with a 75% reduction and then heated in vacuum at a temperature of about 750.degree. to 850.degree. C. and then quenched in water is subjected to further thermal-mechanical operation steps to increase the compressive yield strength approximately 30%, stabilize the microstructure, and decrease the variations in mechanical properties throughout the plate is provided. These thermal-mechanical steps are achieved by cold rolling the quenched plate to reduce the thickness thereof about 8 to 12%, aging the cold rolled plate at a first temperature of about 325.degree. to 375.degree. C. for five to six hours and then aging the plate at a higher temperature ranging from 480.degree. to 500.degree. C. for five to six hours prior to cooling the billet to ambient conditions and sizing the billet or plate into articles provides the desired increase in mechanical properties and phase stability throughout the plate.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4604148
• OSTI ID: 865943
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
increasing
phase
stability
compressive
yield
strength
uranium-1
wt
zirconium
alloy
characterized
ductility
stable
microstructure
fabricated
improved
thermal
mechanical
process
homogenous
ingot
reduced
thickness
50
two-step
forging
operation
rolled
plate
75
reduction
heated
vacuum
temperature
750
degree
850
quenched
water
subjected
thermal-mechanical
steps
increase
approximately
30
stabilize
decrease
variations
properties
throughout
provided
achieved
cold
rolling
reduce
12
aging
325
375
five
six
hours
ranging
480
500
prior
cooling
billet
ambient
conditions
sizing
articles
provides
desired
temperature ranging
phase stability
ambient conditions
improved thermal
zirconium alloy
mechanical properties
cold rolled
cold rolling
yield strength
compressive yield
six hours
hours prior
mechanical process
/148/