The Pressure Compaction of Zr-Nb Powder Mixtures and Selected Properties of Sintered and KOBO-Extruded Zr-xNb Materials

Materials were obtained from commercial zirconium powders. 1 mass%, 2.5 mass% and 16 mass% of niobium powders were used as the reinforcing phase. The SPS method and the extrusion method classified as the SPD method were used. Relative density materials of up to 98% were obtained. The microstructure of the sintered Zr-xNb materials differs from that of the extruded materials. Due to the flammability of zirconium powders, no mechanical alloying was used; only mixing of zirconium and niobium powders in water and isopropyl alcohol. Niobium was grouped in clusters with an average niobium particle size of about 10 μm up to 20 μm. According to the Zr-Nb phase equilibrium system, the stable phase at RT was the hexagonal α-phase. The tests were carried out for materials without the additional annealing process. The effect of niobium as a β-Zr phase stabilizer is confirmed by XRD. Materials differed in their phase composition, and for both methods the β-Zr phase was present in obtained materials. A very favorable effect of niobium on the increase in corrosion resistance was observed, compared to the material obtained from the powder without the addition of niobium.