Transformation kinetics and mechanical properties of Zr-Mo alloys

Alloys containing 1.3, 3.3, 5.4, and 7.5 pct Mo were prepared using high purity molybdenum and sponge zirconium. Time-temperature-transformation curves were established for these alloys based on the resistivity vs time of anneal curves of isothermally quenched rods. Tensile and impact bars of each alloy were heat treated by isothermal quench techniques as well as by quench and reheat treatments. These bars were then machined, tested, and the properties compared. Optimum properties could be developed in the 1.3 pct Mo alloy using the isothermal quench technique. The 3.3, 5.4, and 7.5 pct Mo alloys exhibited a brittle behavior irrespective of type of heat treatment. An ω or transition phase in the β → α transformation was discovered which undoubtedly accounts for most of the brittleness observed. The ω phase has been tentatively indexed as tetragonal, c/a= 1.45. Mechanical properties of unalloyed sponge zirconium are presented for comparison.