Effect of Heat Treatment in α+β Phase Field on Microstructure and Corrosion Property of Zr-Sn-Nb Alloy

Uniform corrosion tests were carried out with the specimens prepared by different heat treatments at the temperature in α+β phase field. The surface microstructure of specimens was observed by scanning electron microscope, the corrosion behavior was analyzed by autoclaves, and the oxide layer on the surface after the corrosion test was analyzed by focused ion beam (FIB) and atomic force microscope (AFM). The results show that after the heat treatment in α+β phase field, lamellar β-Zr phase appeares in the Zr matrix, and after the subsequent α phase final heat treatment, the β-Zr phase will be decomposed to α-Zr and discontinuous second phase particles. For the specimens heat treated in α+β phase field, after the α phase final heat treatment, the corrosion resistance under 360℃/18.6 MPa pure water condition is better than that of specimens without final heat treatment. The oxide film formed on the β-Zr protrudes on the oxide surface, on the contrary, after α phase final heat treatment, β-Zr decomposes, and the oxide layer is sunken in this area. © 2020, Editorial Board of Atomic Energy Science and Technology. All right reserved.