Development of continuous cooling transformation diagrams of zirconium-niobium alloy phase transformations within the Kolmogorov-Johnson-Mehl-Avrami framework

Abstract

Microstructure and chemistry of zirconium alloys have a major influence on material performance, including mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly understand processing required to obtain desired microstructures for application in commercial nuclear reactors. Zirconium-niobium alloys are of particular interest for commercial nuclear applications (e.g., in boiling water reactors, pressurized water reactors, Canadian deuterium uranium reactors) due to increased corrosion resistance in aqueous environments over other zirconium alloys. Heat treatments of zirconium-niobium alloys affect overall microstructure, precipitate distributions and size, and ultimately determine material performance.

A mathematical model was developed utilizing the Kolmogorov-Johnson-Mehl-Avrami theory that accurately describes phase transformations upon continuous cooling in zirconium-niobium binary alloys. This model relates fraction of phase transformed to kinetic parameters that were calculated from experimental test results in order to model the phase transformation for various cooling rates from 10-40°C/minute.

Phase transformations in zirconium-niobium alloys were modeled for a range of niobium concentrations and heat treatment conditions, by conducting controlled experiments. Heat-flux differential scanning calorimetry was performed and data was collected and analyzed for zirconium-niobium alloys with niobium content ranging from 0.6-3.0 weight percent. Continuous cooling transformation diagrams were constructed for slow cooling rate conditions (9-34°C/minute) based on calorimetry test results. A standard operating procedure for performing these calorimetry tests and corresponding data analysis technique was developed specifically to study the zirconium-niobium material system.