Phase Constitution and Heat Treatment Behavior of Zr-Nb Alloys
Phase constitution in the solution-treated and quenched state and the heat treatment behavior were investigated by electrical resistivity, hardness, and elastic modulus measurements, X-ray diffraction, and optical microscopy. Hexagonal martensite and the β phase were identified in the Zr-5mass%Nb alloy. β and ω phases were identified in the Zr-10 and 15mass%Nb alloys, and only the β phase was identified in the Ti-20Nb alloy. Resistivity at RT, Vickers hardness and elastic modulus increased up to 10Nb and then decreased dramatically at 15Nb. Above 15Nb, these values slightly decreased. The elastic moduli for 15Nb and 20Nb were 59.5 and 55.5 GPa, respectively. On isochronal heat treatment, the isothermal ω phase precipitated between 473 and 623 K and then the α phase precipitated in the 10Nb, 15Nb and 20Nb alloys.