The effect of cooling rate on the decomposition of the γ-phase in uranium-zirconium alloys

Investigation on the martensitic transformation and the associated intermediate phase in U–2wt%Zr alloy

“…From the Jominy end-quenched test results, Hills et al have suggested that in U-5 at.%Zr ($U-2 wt%Zr) the a 0 martensite forms directly from the c phase without a formation of any intermediate phase [6]; clearly the present findings do not favour this theory.…”

“…a transformation. b and x, as reported in the literature [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Among these phases x could be ruled out for U-rich Zr alloys, since x !…”

“…Crystallography of the martensite and formation of the intermediate phases during martensitic transformation of uranium-rich alloy systems containing Ti, Nb, Mo and Re are reported in the literature [2][3][4][5]. However, the little information available in the open literature, regarding the phase transformation behaviour of U-Zr system under rapid cooling condition, indicate that the metastable a 0 martensite is obtained with rapid cooling rate whereas slower cooling rate yields supersaturated a in the alloys with <25 wt%Zr [6,7]. On the other hand alloys having more than 25 wt%Zr retains the metastable c phase at room temperature under rapid cooling condition [7].…”

Physical Metallurgical Studies of Zr-Rich U-Zr Alloys

“…Transformation behaviour on quenching of different U-Zr alloys is described by Hills et al [10]. Discussion on properties like microhardness, thermal properties, variation of lattice parameters for alloy up to U-10wt%Zr are also reported by Basak [10,11].…”

“…Lagerberg [8] has reported the phase transformation behavior in U-2wt%Zr and recently the same is re-evaluated by Basak et al [9]. Transformation behaviour on quenching of different U-Zr alloys is described by Hills et al [10]. Discussion on properties like microhardness, thermal properties, variation of lattice parameters for alloy up to U-10wt%Zr are also reported by Basak [10,11].…”