Structural and phase transformations in Zr-Nb binary alloys and their relationship to the properties

Using the methods of transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis the study was made of binary zirconium alloys, containing from 0.05 to 20 wt.% niobium, after different heat treatments. A substantial dependence is shown of the alloy properties on niobium content in solid solutions and on the volume ratio of the phases (αsub(Zr), βsub(Zr), βsub(Nb)α, β, β, ω). Niobium content increase in the supersaturated solid solution leads to an increase in strength and a decrease in corrosion resistance of the alloys under investigation