ZIRCONIUM NIOBIUM OXYGEN-CONTAINING ALLOY AND METHOD OF PRODUCTION OF SUCH ALLOY Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: zirconium-based alloys; methods of production of such alloys; nuclear power engineering. SUBSTANCE: proposed zirconium-based alloy is used for manufacture of elements for active zone of nuclear reactors . Proposed zirconium- based alloy contains the following components, mass-%: niobium, 0.9- 1.1; oxygen, 0.05-0.09; the remainder being zirconium. Structure of alloy includes alpha-zirconium with heterogeneity zones of oxygen not exceeding 30 nm, zirconium sub-oxide of non-stoichiometric composition and beta-niobium. Method of production of alloy includes preparation of charge from zirconium-containing material and niobium pentaoxide as oxygen-containing and main niobium-containing material, melting charge and obtaining ingot. EFFECT: improved technological and operating properties. 7 cl, 4 dwg, 3 tbl, 2 ex