Effect of aluminum, chromium, and iron doping on the heat resistance of zirconium

The influence of aluminum, chromium, and iron doping on the heat resistance of zirconium is studied. It is shown that a dense oxide film starts forming in the oxidation of the alloy containing 8 wt.% aluminum at 700°C regardless of its phase composition and ensures high heat resistance. At lower temperatures, to achieve the heat resistance comparable with that of the É110 commercial alloy, the content of the Zr–Al solid solution based on α-Zr, which should not contain more than 4 wt.% Al, is to be minimum. Additions of 1% Cr and 1% Fe can be used to strengthen the Zr–8Al alloy without a significant decrease in its heat resistance.