Layered redistribution of the alloying element in inhomogeneously deformed Zr alloy containing 1 % Nb

The possibility to use layer-by-layer chemical inhomogeneity occurring on plastic deformation as a technological factor for creating the material with new properties is investigated. It is shown that on periodical cold rolling of cable sheaths of zirconium base alloy with 1 % of niobium it is possible to induce macrodiffusion and subsequent solid solution decomposition at a certain critical gradient of anisotropy. The decomposition of niobium solid solution in α-Zr results in formation of two new solid solutions with 0.1-0.15 and 1.5-2.0 % Nb and three-layer structure of the sheath: 1.5 % Nb + 0.1 % Nb + 1.5 % Nb. As this takes place, the central layer is associated with a zone of tension and peripheral layers with zones of shear