The crystal structure of oxides grown on Zr–20Nb alloy

Oxides that were grown on Zr–20Nb in water at 300°C for 3 d, or in air at 400°C for 2 h were characterized by analytical electron microscopy. In both oxides, a similar microstructure was observed and similar electron diffraction patterns and high resolution lattice images were obtained. Analyses of the results showed that the crystal structure of the oxides was identical to that of an incommensurate modulated Nb₂Zr_x−2O_2x+1 phase, with x ≈ 10.