Zirconium alloy fabrication

The main use of zirconium alloy is in the field of nuclear technology, such as fuel rods in nuclear reactors. The typical composition of nuclear grade zirconium alloy is over 95% zirconium and less than 2% tin, niobium, iron, chromium, nickel, and other metals, which are added to improve mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.

Zirconium and zirconium alloys have good plasticity and can be made into pipes, plates, rods, and wires, among which pipes are the main products. The processing technology of zirconium and zirconium alloys depends on the basic properties of zirconium and the special requirements of nuclear reactors for zirconium components. The basic properties of zirconium are: easy to be contaminated by oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, etc., easy to stick to molds, and have homogeneous and heterogeneous transformation. The requirements of nuclear reactors for zirconium components are high dimensional accuracy, strict microstructure requirements, and stable performance. The main processes of the most widely used seamless zirconium tube processing are: preparing consumable electrodes, melting casting, forging, hot extrusion (tube blank), cold processing, and finishing.

Zirconium alloy has corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, making it suitable for implantation in the body. In medicine, Zr-2.5Nb alloy can be used to make knee or hip implants. This zirconium alloy material can reduce friction, increase wear resistance, and maintain overall performance (manufacturability, fracture toughness, and ductility), providing a good solution for medical implants.