Institute of Metals Division - System Zirconium-Chromium

On the basis of metallographic analysis, incipient melting data, thermal analysis work, and X-ray diffraction, phase relationships in the 0 to 50 atomic pct Cr region were carefully resolved. Phase relationships in the 50 to 100 atomic pct region were outlined. A single intermediate phase, ZrCr,, was established in the system. A eutectic and a eutectoid were found in the zirconium-rich region of the system, while a eutectic was located in the chromium-rich region. Limited solubility of chromium in both a and a zirconium was observed. THIS is another in a series of papers on zirconium-base binary phase diagrams based on a program sponsored by the Atomic Energy Commission. The Zr-Sn,' Zr-Si,' and Zr-Mo and Zr-W" systems have already been published. Previous work on the Zr-Cr system includes a partial diagram by Hayes, Roberson, and Davies' and a complete diagram by McQuillan." The phase relationships reported by these authors were determined with magnesium-reduced zirconium, whereas those reported herein are based on iodide metal. Some X-ray work on the intermediate phase in this system was also reported by Hayes et al., as well as by Wallbaum.' Comparisons with these data are made in the appropriate sections. Thermal analysis, metallographic and incipient melting techniques were employed to accurately resolve phase relationships in the 0 to 50 atomic pct Cr region, while the remainder of the diagram is outlined on a basis of cast structures and thermal analysis. A description and analyses of the metals used in the preparation of alloys for this study are included in Table I. A "low-hafnium" zirconium crystal bar (Westinghouse "Grade 3") was used. This material was produced by the decomposition of a volatile iodide onto a hot zirconium filament. The as-received crystal bar was coated with corrosion product from a standard autoclave test by which its grade designation is determined. A sand-blasting and subsequent HF-HNO, pickling treatment was employed to remove this contamination. The bars were cold-rolled to approximately 1/32-in. sheet, pickled again, sheared to 1/4-in. squares, washed with acetone, and stored for use. Ingot chromium metal from National Research Corp. and electrolytic chromium flakes from Johnson, Matthey and Co., Ltd., were available as alloy additions. The ingot chromium was received in granular form. The large granules were sized by crushing, treated for iron removal, rinsed with acetone, and stored. The flakes were broken to approximately 1/8 in. with mortar and pestle, cleaned with acetone, and stored for charging. Experimental Procedure A nonconsumable electrode arc furnace identical to that described by Hansen, Kessler, and McPher-son,' was used in this work. A 400 amp dc welding generator was the source of power. To insure homogeneity, ingots were melted in a water-cooled spun copper crucible, a total of four times without opening the furnace. No difficulties were encountered in the preparation of these binary alloys. Analyzed chromium contents were found to agree very well with the intended content. Melts of pure zirconium were interspersed in the course of preparing the alloys and their hardness was measured to keep a constant check on the melting technique. Vycor and quartz bulbs were used to contain the samples for isothermal annealing treatments. Vycor bulbs were employed for temperatures up to 110O°C, while quartz was used above this temperature. For treatments up to 950°C the bulbs were evacuated before sealing, but for higher temperatures a partial pressure of argon was admitted to the