Effect of Re on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of NbTiZr and TaTiZr Equiatomic Alloys

The microstructure, phase composition, and mechanical properties of NbTiZr, TaTiZr, Re0.3NbTiZr, and Re0.3TaTiZr are reported. The alloys were produced by vacuum arc melting and hot isostatically pressed (HIP'd) at 1400 & DEG;C for 3 h under 276 MPa hydrostatic pressure of high-purity argon prior to testing. NbTiZr had a single-phase BCC crystal structure, while TaTiZr had a Ti- and Zr-rich BCC matrix phase and Ta-rich nanometer-sized BCC precipitates, at volume fractions of 0.49 and 0.51, respectively. Re0.3NbTiZr consisted of a BCC matrix phase and Re-rich precipitates with a FCC crystal structure and the volume fraction of 0.14. The microstructure of Re0.3TaTiZr consisted of a Zr-rich BCC matrix phase and coarse, Re and Ta rich, BCC particles, which volume fraction was 0.47. NbTiZr and TaTiZr had a room temperature (RT) yield stress of 920 MPa and 1670 MPa, respectively. While, 10 at.% Re additions increased the RT yield stress to 1220 MPa in Re0.3NbTiZr and 1715 MPa in Re0.3TaTiZr. Re also considerably improved the RT ductility of TaTiZr, from about 2.5% to 10% of true strain. The positive strengthening effect from the Re additions was retained at high (800-1200 & DEG;C) temperatures.