Abstract
Laves phase-reinforced alloys have shown some preliminary promising performance at room temperatures. This work aims at evaluating mechanical properties of Laves phase-strengthened alloys at elevated temperatures. Three Fe-Cr-Zr alloys were designed to favor the formation of eutectic microstructures containing Laves and body-centered cubic phases with the aid of thermodynamic calculations. Microstructural characterization was carried out on the alloys in as-processed and aged states using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The effect of thermal aging and alloy composition on microstructure has been discussed based on microstructural characterization results. Mechanical properties have been evaluated by means of Vickers microhardness measurements, tensile testing at temperatures up to 973.15 K (700.15 °C), and creep testing at 873.15 K (600.15 °C) and 260 MPa. Alloys close to the eutectic composition show significantly superior strength and creep resistance compared to P92. However, their low tensile ductility may limit their applications at relatively low temperatures.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1188-1195 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A: Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2015 |
Funding
This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Engineering Enabling Technology (NEET) Advanced Reactor Material Program, under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with UT-Battelle, LLC, and through a user project supported by ORNL’s Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS) that was sponsored by the Scientific User Facilities Division, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, U.S. DOE.