Phase Selection and Microstructure Evolution Dependance on Composition for Zr-Fe Eutectic Alloys

doi:10.1007/s40195-024-01736-7

Abstract

Abstract:

The knowledge of the phase selection and microstructure evolution of Zr-Fe eutectic alloys is still poorly understood. The presumed eutectic alloy with a nominal composition of Zr_76.0Fe_24.0 was discovered to contain a significant proportion of α-Zr dendrites. Hereby, phase selection and microstructure evolution dependance on composition for Zr-Fe eutectic alloys was experimentally determined by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and meticulous electron microscopes. Eight alloys, spanning the composition range of 73.5-74.7% Zr, were examined to investigate microstructure evolution and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics. Results indicate that in alloys ranging from Zr_73.5Fe_26.5 to Zr_73.9Fe_26.1, the primary FeZr₂ phase demonstrates preferential growth, followed by eutectic microstructure formation during liquid alloy solidification. The volume fraction of FeZr₂ dendrites decreases as the Zr content increases. Conversely, in alloys ranging from Zr_74.0Fe_26.0 to Zr_74.7Fe_25.3, primary β-Zr dendrites preferentially grow, followed by a eutectic reaction in the remaining liquid phase. The content of α-Zr dendrites reduces with decreasing Zr content. As mentioned above, a critical composition range for phase selection is defined as Zr_xFe_100.0−_x (73.9 < x < 74.0).

Key words: Phase selection, Thermal analysis, Microstructure evolution, Crystallization kinetic

Dong-Dong Zuo, Jian Chang, Hai-Peng Wang. Phase Selection and Microstructure Evolution Dependance on Composition for Zr-Fe Eutectic Alloys[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2024, 37(10): 1689-1702.

Figures/Tables 9

Fig. 1 Phase constitution and solidified microstructure of Zr76.0Fe24.0 master alloy: a X-ray diffraction patterns of the master alloy and DSC sample; b-d secondary electron (SE) micrographs: c an enlarged view of the microstructure in the red box in b; d an enlarged view of the microstructure in the blue box in b

Fig. 2 TEM results of Zr76.0Fe24.0 master alloy: a and b high-angle annular dark field (HAADF) image of the eutectic and its EDS map; c and d HRTEM image of α-Zr in a and its FFT; e bright field image of eutectic microstructure; f HRTEM image of a eutectic layer; g and h FFT images of the blue and green boxes in f, respectively; i bright field image of lumpy phase; j and k HRTEM image of the lumpy phase in i and its SAED pattern

Fig. 3 Phase constitution and solidification path of Zr76.0Fe24.0 alloy for DSC sample: a DSC curves; b and c BSE micrographs; d-l EDS analysis for the DSC sample of Zr76.0Fe24.0 alloy: d an enlarged view of the microstructure in the red box in c; e EDS area scan of Zr element; f EDS area scan of Fe element; g an enlarged view of the microstructure in the blue box in c; h EDS area scan of Zr element; i EDS area scan of Fe element; j an enlarged view of the microstructure in the green box in c; k EDS area scan of Zr element; l EDS area scan of Fe element

Fig. 4 A schematic representation of the solidification sequence of the DSC sample for liquid Zr76.0Fe24.0 alloy

Fig. 5 X-ray diffraction patterns of phases in Zr-Fe master alloys

Fig. 6 Backscattered electron (BSE) micrographs of Zr-Fe master alloys: a Zr73.5Fe26.5 alloy; b Zr73.7Fe26.3 alloy; c Zr73.9Fe26.1 alloy; d Zr75.0Fe25.0 alloy

Fig. 7 DSC cooling curves and crystallization kinetics analysis of liquid Zr-Fe alloys at a cooling rate of 5 K·min−1: a and b DSC cooling curves; c Xc versus T; d n-T curves

Fig. 8 BSE micrographs of DSC samples at a rate 5 K·min−1: a Zr73.9Fe26.1 alloy; b Zr74.1Fe25.9 alloy; c Zr74.3Fe25.7 alloy; d volume fraction of dendrite phases

Fig. 9 Crystallization kinetics analysis and BSE micrograph of Zr74.0Fe26.0 alloy at a cooling rate of 5 K·min−1: a DSC curve and n-T curve; b BSE micrograph

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