Microstructural and textural evolution during hot deformation of dilute Zr-Sn alloy

• Published in: Journal of nuclear materials 2016-12, Vol.482, p.12-18
• Main Authors: Jha, S.K., Keskar, N., Vishnu Narayan, K.I., Mani Krishna, K.V., Srivastava, D., Dey, G.K., Saibaba, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloys; Compression; Deformation; Diffraction; Dilution; Dynamic recrystallization; EBSD; Evolution; Hot deformation; Microstructure; Nuclear electric power generation; Nuclear energy; Nuclear fuel elements; Nuclear fuels; Nuclear power reactors; Nuclear reactors; Power reactors; Recrystallization; Strain rate; Temperature; Temperature effects; Texture; Thermo-mechanical simulator; Tin base alloys; X-ray diffraction; Zirconium; Zr-Sn alloy
• ISSN: 0022-3115; 1873-4820
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnucmat.2016.09.028

A dilute Zr alloy containing 0.3% Sn (a potential material for liner applications of composite fuel claddings of thermal nuclear power reactors) was subjected to controlled uniaxial compression over a wide range of strain rates and temperatures in a thermo-mechanical simulator. The evolved microstructures were characterized using SEM based EBSD technique and the texture evolution was analysed by bulk X-ray diffraction method. The study had brought out the systematic changes brought out in microstructure and texture as a function of temperature and strain rate. The results indicate that a temperature of 750 °C is the optimum temperature for hot deformation of this alloy in terms of achieving a homogenous and well recrystallized microstructure. •A dilute alloy of Zr-Sn system was subjected to controlled uniaxial compression.•The deformations were carried out over a wide range of temperatures and strain rates.•The influence of temperature and strain rate on the microstructure and texture evolution has been documented.•A suitable temperature for high temperature processing of Zr-0.3Sn alloy has been suggested.