Microstructural and microchemical studies of Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube alloy
Abstract
The microstructure and distribution of Nb and Fe in a standard Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube alloy has been studied by analytical electron microscopy before and after irradiation (~ 5 × 10 25n/ m2; E > 1 MeV at 553 K). Irradiation produces pronounced changes in both the dislocation substructure and the chemical composition of the α and β-phases. Both < a> and < c>-component defects are observed after irradiation; < c>-component screw dislocations are split after irradiation and are decorated by β Nb particles. There is copious precipitation of β Nb in the α-phase. Fe segregation is found at α-α subboundaries and in the β-phase prior to irradiation. After irradiation increased levels of Fe are observed at α-α subboundaries, while the β-phase is depleted of Fe.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Nuclear Materials
- Pub Date:
- October 1993
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0022-3115(93)90087-F
- Bibcode:
- 1993JNuM..205..251P