Abstract
Refractory metals and alloys offer attractive high-temperature properties, most of which are suitable for applications in nuclear environments including high temperature strength, good thermal conductivity, and compatibility with most liquid metal coolants. One of only two commercially produced Nb-alloys, Nb-1Zr has long been considered for various compact reactor designs. Nb-1Zr has also recently been considered for high-performance Gen IV gas reactor concepts. However, there are significant gaps in the irradiated materials database, especially at temperatures above 800 K. Recent work has shown that irradiated properties of Nb-1Zr are strongly controlled by phase-related transformations in the microstructure. Changes in the microstructure (obtained via scanning and transmission electron microscopy) and corresponding mechanical properties of Nb-1Zr were examined following fission reactor irradiation experiments at temperatures of 1073, 1223 and 1373 K to 1.9 dpa (displacements per atom) and compared with material thermally aged for similar exposure times of ~1100 h. Thermally driven changes in the development of precipitate phases showed a greater influence on mechanical properties compared to irradiation-induced defects for these irradiation conditions. The changes in material density, electrical resistivity and mechanical properties of the irradiated and thermally aged materials in association with microstructural developments are discussed.
