ZIRCONIUM-BASE ALLOY Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: zirconium-base alloys. SUBSTANCE: zirconium-base alloy contains the following components, wt. %: niobium 0.5-3.0; iron 0.005-0.5; oxygen 0.03-0.2; carbon 0.001-0.04; silicon 0.002-0.1; nickel 0.003-0.02; the balance, zirconium. In this case, alloy microstructure is characterized by particles of beta-niobium-containing phases sizing not in excess of 0.1 mcm with content of niobium in amount of 60-95% uniformly distributed in alpha-solution. Invention allows production of zirconium-base material whose articles used in active zone of nuclear reactor possess more stable properties such as corrosion resistance, strength, resistance to irradiation growth and creepage, high resistance to nodular corrosion that enhances service life of articles in active zone of nuclear reactors. EFFECT: higher efficiency. 6 cl, 3 tbl