Regularities of Orthorhombic α″ Phase Formation in Binary Zirconium Alloys
摘要
The phase composition of quenched binary zirconium alloys with d-metals of periods 4–6 of the Periodic Table is studied in detail. X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and microhardness measurements are used to characterize the alloys. We identified the systems where the orthorhombic α″ phase forms. A size factor ε = {(rZr − rMe)/rZr} × 100 pct is shown to determine the presence of the α″ phase in the alloy and it is established that for the α″ phase to exist, ε should be less than ~ 15 pct. The range of its existence depends on the rate of change of the β phase lattice parameter with increasing d-metal content in the alloy. The conditions for the α″ phase formation in zirconium alloys are compared with those for titanium alloys.