Phase transformations in metastable ß-Zr15Nb alloy revealed by in situ methods

This study examines the phase transitions occurring during linear heating of the Zr15Nb alloy through a comprehensive, multi-technique methodology comprising in situ high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction (HEXRD), electrical resistance measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Veverková, Anna, Bartha, Kristína, Vesely, Jozef, Barriobero Vila, Pere|||0000-0002-4412-3729, Kozlík, Jirí, Doležal, Petr, Pospíšil, Jirí, Šmilauerová, Jana, Stráský, Josef
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/449676
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/449676
https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-025-11846-x
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Zr-Nb alloys
In situ high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction (HEXRD)
Electrical resistance measurements
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
Thermal expansion analysis
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria dels materials
Descripción
Sumario:This study examines the phase transitions occurring during linear heating of the Zr15Nb alloy through a comprehensive, multi-technique methodology comprising in situ high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction (HEXRD), electrical resistance measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal expansion analysis, supplemented by ex situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The findings reveal a complex sequence of phase transformations and corresponding structural changes over a broad temperature range (from room temperature up to 800 °C). Two distinct body-centered cubic (bcc) ß phases ßZr and ßNbwith closely related lattice parameters are identified. At room temperature, the microstructure is characterized by a mixture of the metastable ßZr¿+¿¿ath phase. Upon heating, ßZr progressively decomposes, giving rise to the formation of ßNb. TEM observation revealed the cuboidal shape of the ¿iso particles, resulting from the high lattice misfit between ß and ¿ phase. The ¿ solvus temperature is determined to be approximately 555 °C, as evidenced by in situ HEXRD and abrupt changes in the alloy’s thermal and electrical properties. The growth of the a phase occurs after the dissolution of the ¿ phase, resulting in a pronounced increase in thermal expansion.