Experimental evaluation of the characteristics of super-heat-resisting Nb-based and Mo-based alloys

Morinaga, Masahiko*; not registered; not registered

[PURPOSE]Both the Nb-based and Mo-based alloys have been designed and developed in order to establish the frontier technique for super-heat-resisting materials used in the liquid alkali metal environment at high temperatures. In this study, mechanical properties of the designed Nb-1Hf alloy were experimentally evaluated. In addition, the brittleness of Nb-based alloys observed at 1073K were discussed. Moreover, characteristics of both the designed Nb-based and the Mo-based alloys were summarized in a consistent way. [EXPERIMENTAL METHODS] (1)Tensile test : The tensile test was performed at room temperature and 1473K in an Ar gas atmosphere for the designed Nb-1Hf alloy and also for commercial Nb-1Zr alloy. (2)High temperature creep test:The creep test of the designed Nb-1Hf alloy was carried out at 1473K in an Ar gas atmosphere under several applied stress levels. (3)TEM observation : The TEM observation was performed with the creep specimens tested at both 1073K and 1273K in order to get information for the 1073K brittleness of the Nb-1Zr alloy. [RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS] (1)Tensile test : The tensile stress and the proof stress of the designed Nb-1Hf alloy were slightly lower than those of commercial Nb-1Zr alloy at room tempetarure. But the alloy was superior in the elongation to the Nb-1Zr alloy. High temperature tensile properties were not able to be evaluated properly because of the large grain size of the specimens. (2)High temperature creep test : The Nb-1Hf alloy was superior in the ereep resistance to other solid solution hardened Nb-based alloys. (3)TEM observation : A modulated structure with about 1nm preiod was observed in the specimen which was brittle at 1073K. This was supposed to cause the 1073K brittleness of the Nb-1Zr alloy. [CONCLUSION] The tensile strength of the designed Nb-1Hf alloy was slightly lower at room temperature than that of the commercial Nb-1Zr alloy. But, the designed alloy was superior in high temperature creep properties to any