High-strength zirconium alloy: Zr-4 wt pct Sn-1.6 wt pct Mo

Abstract

A heat-treatable, ternary alloy of zirconium is described. This alloy is readily rolled at 800°C and has more than four times the creep strength of pure zirconium at 500°C. The tensile strength of the alloy in the annealed condition is about 90,000 psi, and it may be heat-treated to a strength of more than 140,000 psi. In the annealed condition, the alloy can be cold reduced more than 20 pct. The alloy is harder in the air-quenched condition than as water quenched. This behavior was found to be associated with a reaction similar to age hardening.