Phase analysis and hardness properties of ZRNBMoGe alloy for cladding materials

A quantitative phase analysis by using neutron diffraction technique has been proven providing some benefits particularly for elements with very similar atomic numbers. This is because of the unique properties of neutron itself, possessing high penetrating power and directly interact with atomic nuclei. An experiment to determine the amount of crystalline phases in the ZrNbMoGe system by using HRPD (high resolution powder diffractometer) has been carried out in PTBIN - BATAN. The data analysis was performed by Rietveld refinements method. The result shows that ZrNbMoGe alloy comprises of some phases i.e.: Zr, ZrGe, Zr₃Ge and ZrMo₂. Fraction of crystalline phases in the alloy contains of 1 %Ge is: 94.19 %wt of Zr phase, 2.05 %wt of ZrMo₂ phase, 3.15 %wt of Zr₃Ge and 0.59 %wt of ZrGe phase. The growth of minor phases improved the hardness of the materials. The increase of hardness is attributed to precipitation hardening in the grain boundaries that inhibit dislocation movements. The minor phases (the precipitates) can rise up the hardness from about 92.31 VHN (pure zirconium) to about 316.30 VHN (in the grain of ZrNbMoGe alloy). (author)