ZIRCONIUM-BASED ALLOY

摘要

The present invention relates to a zirconium-based alloy that comprises the following elements: from 0.5 to 3.0 wt % of niobium; from 0.5 to 2.0 wt % of tin; from 0.3 to 1.0 wt % of iron; from 0.002 to 0.2 wt % of chromium; from 0.003 to 0.04 wt % of carbon; from 0.04 to 0.15 wt % of oxygen; from 0.002 to 0.15 wt % of silicon; from 0.001 to 0.4 wt % of tungsten or molybdenum or vanadium; the balance consisting of zirconium. The structure of this alloy is characterised in that it has a alpha -hardness temper and in that it contains particles of iron- and niobium-containing intermetallic compounds of the Zr(Nb, Fe)2 type. The structure of this alloy may also include particles of iron- and niobium-containing intermetallic compounds of the Zr[Nb, Fe (W or Mo, or V)]2, Zr[Fe, Cr, Nb, (W, or Mo, or V)]2, [Zr, Nb, (W, or Mo, or V)]2Fe, Zr(Fe, Cr, Nb)2 or (Zr, Nb)2Fe types having a particle size not exceeding 0.3 mu m.