Influence of thermomechanical treatment regimes on formation of microstructure, crystallographic texture and mechanical properties of Zr-1%Nb alloy

Systematic study of different regimes of thermomechanical processing performed employing forging and rolling of Zr-1%Nb alloy melted with double Vacuum Arc Remelting approach on evolution of its' microstructure, crystallographic texture and mechanical properties was performed. Results were compared with earlier obtained for conditions of direct (without primary forging) rolling data. Comparative analysis was done also employing statistic data on material uniformity obtained with microhardness measurements as well as Transmission Electron Microscopy data. Is was established that the best mechanical properties balance, crystallographic texture and uniform condition could be formed in alloy with thermomechanical processing including consecutive deformation at temperatures of single β, and then two-phase α+β-fields. Also solid-solutioning treatment followed by water quenching should be included between first and second stages of deformation. It is found that β-forging used as deformation method of the first stage ensures better final result of thermomechanical processing comparing with rolling at the same temperatures.