Characterization of Hot Deformation Behavior of Zr-4 Alloy in Material Application Area

Abstract

The hot deformation behavior of Zr-4 alloy was studied in the temperature range 650-900°C and strain rate range 0.005-50s-1 using processing maps. The processing maps revealed three domains: the first occurs in the temperature range 780-820°C and strain rate range 0.005-0.05s-1, and has a peak efficiency of 45% at 790°C and 0.005s-1; the mechanism is the dynamic recrystallization. The second occurs in the temperature range greater than 900°C and strain rate range 0.05-0.8s-1, and has a peak efficiency of 40% at 900°C and 0.5s-1, which are the domains of dynamic recovery. In addition, the instability zones of flow behavior can also be recognized by the maps in the temperature range 650-780°C and strain rate range 0.01-0.1s-1, which should be strictly avoided in the processing of the material. Zr-4 alloy is the material for pressure tube applications in nuclear reactors and has better strength and a lower rate of hydrogen uptake compared to other materials under similar service conditions.