The phase diagram for the system zirconium-beryllium

Using the methods of metallographic, thermal, and x-ray qualitative phase analyses and by measuring the hardness, studies have been made of the system zirconium-beryllium, and its phase diagram has been plotted. The presence of four intermediate phases has been shown in the system: ZrBe₂, ZrBe₆, ZrBe₉. and ZrBe₁₃. The first three compounds formed by peritectic reactions at temperatures of 1235, 1475, and 1555 °C, respectively; the last compound melts with an open maximum at 1645 °C. At 965 °C and 5 weight % beryllium a eutectoid forms between the ZrBe₂ and the zirconium. Additions of beryllium to the zirconium lead to a reduction in temperature of the -ß transformation and to the formation of a eutectoid at 800 °C. The solubility of beryllium in -zirconium is less than 0.1 weight % and in ß-zirconium — less than 0.3 weight %. The solubility of zirconium in beryllium does not exceed 0.3 weight %.