Thermodynamic prediction of compositional phases confirmed by transmission Electron Microscopy on tantalum-based alloy weldments

William E. Moddeman, Chadwick D. Barklay, Janine C. Birkbeck, Roger G. Miller, Lawrence F. Allard, Daniel P. Kramer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Tantalum alloys have been used by the U.S. Department of Energy as structural alloys for radioisotope based thermal to electrical power systems since the 1960s. Tantalum alloys are attractive for high temperature structural applications due to their high melting point, excellent formability, good thermal conductivity, good ductility (even at low temperatures), corrosion resistance, and weldability. Tantalum alloys have demonstrated sufficient high-temperature toughness to survive prolonged exposure to the radioisotope power-system working environment. Typically, the fabrication of power systems requires the welding of various components including the structural members made of tantalum alloys. Issues such as thermodynamics, lattice structure, weld pool dynamics, material purity and contamination, and welding atmosphere purity all potentially confound the understanding of the differences between the weldment properties of the different tantalum-based alloys. The objective of this paper is to outline the thermodynamically favorable material phases in tantalum alloys, with and without small amounts of hafnium, during and following solidification, based on the results derived from the FactSage

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSpace Technology and Applications International Forum, STAIF 2007, including Co-located Conferences
Pages229-233
Number of pages5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
EventSpace Technology and Applications International Forum: Space Renaissance: Inspiring the Next Generation, STAIF-2007 - Albuquerque, NM, United States
Duration: Feb 11 2007Feb 15 2007

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume880
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Conference

ConferenceSpace Technology and Applications International Forum: Space Renaissance: Inspiring the Next Generation, STAIF-2007
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAlbuquerque, NM
Period02/11/0702/15/07

Keywords

  • Hafnium
  • Tantalum
  • Welding

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