Papers by Keyword: Zirconium

Abstract: The phase equilibria in the ternary systems {Ce, Gd}–{Ti, Zr}–Sb were investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The isothermal sections of the phase diagrams at 600°C were constructed. The formation of three ternary compounds (Ce₂Ti₇Sb₁₂, Ce₃TiSb₅, and Gd₂Ti₁₁Sb₁₄) was confirmed in the {Ce, Gd}–Ti–Sb systems and no more ternaries were found. The investigation of the {Ce, Gd}–Zr–Sb systems revealed several new ternary compounds and confirmed the known ones. The crystal structure of the new compound Ce_0.08(3)Zr_1.92(3)Sb was determined from X-ray powder diffraction data. The other new compounds in the Ce–Zr–Sb system were found to have compositions close to ~CeZrSb₄ and ~Ce₂Zr₃Sb₅. In the Gd–Zr–Sb system the existence of a large homogeneity range was established for the GdZrSb compound along the isoconcentrate 33.3 at.% Sb: Gd_1-xZr_1+xSb (x = 00.905(18) at 600°C), and a new compound, ~Gd₃Zr₃Sb₁₄, was discovered. The crystal structures at the boundary compositions of the Gd_1-xZr_1+xSb phase were refined from X-ray powder diffraction data.

Abstract: The necessity of finding scientifically grounded methods for the development of new heat-resistant, wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant aluminum alloys is presented in the present work. For this purpose, the analysis of modern methods for computer calculation of phase diagrams in multicomponent metal systems using the Thermo-Calc program was carried out. Therefore, a quantitative analysis of the phase diagram the Al-Cu-Mn-Zr system was carried out, as the basis of deformable high-temperature aluminum alloys. Isothermal and polythermal sections of the phase diagram were calculated in this system. The temperatures of phase transformations were calculated. The mass and volume fractions of the phases in the studied alloys were calculated. The range of concentrations and temperatures at which the maximum amount of dispersoids Al₂₀Cu₂Mn₃ may be achieved, was defined. The minimum amount of Al₂Cu phase is calculated, which should correspond to the best heat resistance of alloys. It is substantiated that in the alloys of a new generation of ALTEK type, the use of homogenization and quenching operations is inexpedient, which implies the possibility of a significant reduction in the cost of heat treatment in comparison with industrial alloys, such as 1201.

Abstract: The article presents the results of obtaining complex-alloyed aluminum-zirconium alloys by aluminothermy of initial metal oxides. Aluminum-matrix Al-Zr-W alloys have been obtained by a metal-thermal reduction with an excessive amount of aluminum in the initial charge of zirconium and tungsten oxides. The process of synthesis is presented as partial reduction reactions of zirconium, tungsten and synthesis of intermetallic compounds. It is shown that thermodynamic parameters of the reactions are favorable for the process of formation of refractory metal alloys. It is found that the temperature reached during the melting process makes it possible to obtain intermetallids and to synthesize alloys at the out-of-furnace process in the form of a compact ingot. The composition of the alloys obtained has been determined by an X-ray phase and an element analysis. It is established that the alloys have a composite structure: intermetallides Al₃Zr and Al₄W are distributed in the aluminum matrix.

Abstract: Introduction of refractory elements into alumina ceramics to improve its properties, is usually carried out by mixing the alumina with oxides of refractory metals. In this work this problem has been solved by pre-alloying refractory element with aluminum and subsequent dispersion of alloy in aqueous alkaline solutions. Characteristics of microstructure, phase composition and rheological properties of powders obtained by chemical dispersion of alloys Al-Mo, Al-V and Al-Zr with 10 wt.% refractory element in 20% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, as well as the impact of heat treatment at 1250 oC on these properties, have been discussed. On the basis of X-Ray analysis (XRA) and electron microscopy the conclusion was adopted that heat treatment of powder leads to significant phase and structural transformations of such powders and is a necessary stage of preparation for sintering.

Abstract: Present investigation provides experimental studies on cylindrical dielectric resonator antennas (CDRAs) fabricated from SrTi_1-xZr_xO₃ ceramic with different substitution of Zr in place of Ti for (0 ≤ x ≤1). Ceramic powder were prepared using conventional solid state reaction method. X-ray Diffraction exposes physical properties Zr-doped SrTiO₃ which exhibit phase transition from cubic, tetragonal to orthorhombic phase. The electrical properties such as dielectric constant (ε_r) and dielectric loss (tan δ) were studied in variation of temperatures and frequencies. At room temperature the dielectric constant decreased from 240 to 21 with increase of Zr content however the amazing result was obtained for multiband antenna by Zr content. The dielectric loss obtain shows very low loss value roughly below 0.07 for all samples. The variations of return loss, resonance frequency and bandwidth of CDRAs at their respective resonant frequencies are studied experimentally.

Abstract: This study discusses how the addition of trace amounts of Zr (0.15 wt%) affect the microstructure and change the mechanical properties of 6061 alloys. The results show that adding a trace amount of Zr can refine the grains thereby enhancing the alloy’s hardness and mechanical properties after aging heat treatment. After thermal exposure at 250°C, alloys without Zr displayed a reduction of mechanical properties because the metastable Mg₂Si strengthening phase grew into the coarse β-Mg₂Si equilibrium phase during the thermal exposure, while the alloys with Zr displayed a plentiful precipitation of the Al₃Zr phase, which effectively hindered the movement of dislocations and thus improved their mechanical properties.

Abstract: Monolithic fuel plates have been developed utilizing low enriched U alloyed with 10 wt.% Mo to replace highly enriched fuels in research and test reactors, in accordance with the goals of the Materials Management and Minimization Reactor Conversion Program. The fuel plates consist of U10Mo fuel, Zr diffusion barrier, and AA6061 cladding. They are fabricated by co-rolling the U10Mo and Zr, which are then encapsulated via hot isostatic pressing of the entire U10Mo/Zr/AA6061 assembly. During fabrication, the metal constituents of the fuel plates undergo phase transformations as well as interdiffusion and reactions at interfaces. The areas of interest are the U10Mo fuel, U10Mo/Zr interface, U10Mo/AA6061 interface, Zr/AA6061 interface, and AA6061-AA6061 bond line. Knowledge of the transformations and growth in the plates is necessary to optimize fabrication parameters and predict behavior as they relate to irradiation performance. Numerous studies have been conducted to analyze these reactions in monolithic fuel plates, and a summary of their observations is provided in this paper.

Abstract: We perform atomistic simulations aimed on study of diffusion of constituents and niobium precipitation in hcp Zr-Nb. We report diffusivities of Zr and Nb in hcp Zr-Nb alloys computed for the models containing up to 5 at.% of niobium. The calculated diffusivity of niobium rises with increase of its content in the alloy. The simulations also show that for a studied concentration range addition of niobium slightly enhances self-diffusion of zirconium in the alloys. The work is also devoted to description of niobium incorporation and clusterization in hcp zirconium. It is confirmed that for a single niobium atom incorporated in hcp zirconium lattice the octahedral position is the most favorable. We estimated the energy describing niobium cluster formation in pure hcp zirconium. According to the simulation results, we can suggest that the minimum niobium cluster size that can be expected in hcp Zr corresponds to about 80 atoms.

Abstract: Monolithic fuel system with U – 10 wt.% Mo (U10Mo) fuel alloy has been developed for the Materials Management and Minimization reactor conversion program to replace highly-enriched fuels in research and test reactors with low-enriched fuels. Interdiffusion and phase transformations in the system constituents, i.e., U10Mo fuel, AA6061 cladding, and Zr diffusion barrier, have been investigated using fuel plates fabricated via rolling and hot-isostatic pressing. Diffusion couples, utilizing the constituents of the fuel system were also carried out to help understand the findings from fuel plates based on phase equilibria and diffusion kinetics. Findings from both fuel plates and diffusion couples can provide a comprehensive knowledge to assess, model, and predict the performance of monolithic low-enriched fuel system from fabrication to irradiation. This paper summarizes the experimental results reported from characterization of the fuel plates and diffusion couples with emphasis on interactions at the fuel-cladding, fuel-diffusion barrier, cladding-diffusion barrier, and cladding-cladding interfaces. Constituent phases and relevant diffusion kinetics are compared and contrasted, taking into account differences in thermodynamics and kinetics variables such as pressure, temperature, and cooling rate.

Abstract: This work is focused on experimental study of micromechanisms of mode II and mode III fatigue cracks in metallic materials in the near-threshold regime. The resistance to fatigue crack growth can be divided to an intrinsic component (ahead of the crack tip) and an extrinsic component (shielding, closure), which is significantly higher than the intrinsic one. Fracture surfaces from the Ti6Al4V alloy and pure zirconium were observed in three dimensions. Experiments were conducted using a special device for simultaneous crack loading in modes II and III. Additionally, pure mode II and pure mode III experiments were done using CTS and torsion specimens, respectively. At the beginning of all experiments, crack closure was eliminated due to precracks generated under cyclic compressive loading. A common mechanism of local mode II advances was observed in both modes II and III. The results were similar to those of pure titanium. The hcp metals exhibit a transition behaviour between materials with coplanar shear-mode crack propagation and materials with a high tendency to deflect to the opening mode I.