Effect of Microstructure on Stretch Property for Zr-Sn-Nb New Zirconium Alloys

The specimens of Zr-Sn-Nb new zirconium alloys were treated in different ways at 1 045 ℃/40 min+500 ℃/1.5 h, 1 045 ℃/40 min+40% cooling work+500 ℃/1.5 h, 1 045 ℃/40 min+70% cooling work +500 ℃/1.5 h, respectively, the final thickness was 1.4 mm. Their microstructures were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the stretch property was investigated with stretching experiments. It is found that the stretch property of specimens worked at 1 045 ℃/40 min+70% cooling work +500 ℃/1.5 h is best among all specimens processed in different ways in this study. It is concluded that bigger deformation (70%) is adopted for Zr-Sn-Nb new zirconium alloy in the processing, which enables the grain size refiner. The strengthening effect of the precipitate phase is related to their size and shape, uniform dispersion of precipitate phase can achieve ideal strengthening effect.