The nature of phase equilibria in V-Zr-O system and lithium penetration into alloys at 670 K

Using the methods of physico-chemical analysis the isothermal cross section of a part of ternary system V-Zr-O in the concentration range up to 6 at. % O and 6 at. % Zr at 1570 K is studied. It is shown that introduction of oxygen to the alloys of the double system V-Zr results in the decomposition of the V2Zr phase and stabilization of a new, previously unknown phase with face-centered cubic lattice with the parameter a=4.05 A. Alloys of the double system V-Zr at 670 K do not react with lithium. Compositions located on the V-ZrO2 cross section do not react with lithium either, except those which in liquid state are stratified into α-V and ZrO2. Zirconium dioxide in globules under condition of continuous separations can be reduced with lithium at 670 K. Alloys of the V-O system corrode in lithium starting with composition 2-2.5 at. % oxygen