Abstract
The effects of final annealing temperature on the microstructure and creep characteristics were investigated for the Zr-lNb-0.2X (X=0, Mo, Cu) and Zr-lNb- 1Sn-0.3Fe-0.1X (X=0, Mo, Cu) alloys. The microstructures were observed by using TEM/EDS, and grain size and distributions of precipitates were analyzed using a image analyzer. The creep test was performed at $400^{\circ}C$ under applied stress of 150 MPa for 10 days. The $\beta$-Zr was observed at annealing temperature above $600^{\circ}C$. In the temperature above$ 600^{\circ}C$, the grain sizes of both alloy systems appeared to be increased with increasing the final annealing temperature. The creep strengths of Zr-1Nb-1Sn-0.3Fe-0.1X alloys were higher than those of Zr-1Nb-0.2X ones due to the effect of solid solution hardening by Sn in Zr-lNb-lSn-0.3Fe-0.1X alloy system. Also, Mo addition showed the strong effect of precipitate hardening in both alloy systems. The creep strength rapidly decreased with increasing the annealing temperature up to $600^{\circ}C$. However, a superior creep resistance was obtained in the sample that annealed to have a second phase of $\beta$-Zr. It was considered that the appearance of $\beta$-Zr would play an important role in the strengthening mechanism of creep deformation.
