KARAKTERISTIK MIKROSTRUKTUR DAN FASA PADUAN Zr- 0,3%Nb-0,5%Fe-0,5%Cr PASCA PERLAKUAN PANAS DAN PENGEROLAN DINGIN

Abstract

MICROSTRUCTURE AND PHASE CHARACTERISTICSOF Zr-0.3%Nb-0.5%Fe-0.5%Cr ALLOY POST HEAT TREATMENT AND COLD ROLLING. Zr-Nb-Fe-Cr alloys was developed as fuel elements cladding with high burn up for advanced power reactors. In this research has been made of Zr-0.3% Nb-0.5% Fe-0.5% Cr alloy were heat treated with varying temperatures at650 and 750°C for 1 until 2 hours. The objectives of this research was to obtain the character of Zr-0.3% Nb-0.5% Fe-0.5% Cr alloy post heat treatment and cold rolling, microstructure nomenclature, crystal structure and phases that presents in the alloy. The results of this experiment showed that the microstructures of Zr-0.3% Nb-0.5% Fe-0.5% Cr alloy post heat treatment (650ºC, 1-2 hours) had equiaxial grain structure with an enlarged size with increasing of the retention time. Meanwhile, post heat treatment (750°C, 1-2 hours) occurred the microstructures evolution of alloy from equiaxial and columnar became equiaxial and columnar relatively large, and subsequently became the larger equiaxial grains. Zr-0.3% Nb-0.5% Fe-0.5% Cr alloy post heat treatment (650°C, 2 h) and (750°C, 1.5-2 hours) can undergo cold deformation without cracking when thickness reduction between 5 to 10%.The phases formation of Zr₂Fe, ZrCr₂ and FeCr compounds can improve the mechanical strength and the corrosion resistance of Zr-0.3% Nb-0.5% Fe-0.5% Cr alloy.