J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2021, Vol. 81: 229-235.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2021.01.010

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Experimental investigation and thermodynamic modeling of the U-Nb system

Chuan Moa, Wenlin Moa, Peng Zhoub, BaiXue Bianc, Yong Duc, Tao Faa,*(), Pengguo Zhanga, Ruiwen Lia, Yanzhi Zhanga, Changsheng Zhangd, Yuanhua Xiad, Xiaolin Wange,*()   

  1. aInstitute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Jiangyou 621907, China
    bHunan Provincial Key Defense Laboratory of High Temperature Wear-Resisting Materials and Preparation Technology, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China
    cState Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
    dKey Laboratory for Neutron Physics of Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, Mianyang 621999, China
    eChina Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
  • Received:2020-07-08 Revised:2020-10-13 Accepted:2020-10-31 Published:2021-01-16 Online:2021-01-16
  • Contact: Tao Fa,Xiaolin Wang
  • About author:*E-mail addresses: taofa0917@gmail.com (T. Fa),

Abstract:

The phase equilibria and thermodynamic properties of the U-Nb system were investigated through experiments and thermodynamic modeling. In the experiments, a series of samples with different content of Nb were prepared by arc melting. The Nb content covers the entire composition range of the U-Nb binary system. After solidification, the samples were annealed and then analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimeter and neutron diffraction. The equilibrium phases, including γ1 (U-rich bcc), αU, and γ2 (U-depleted bcc), were determined in detail from the experimental characterization. The occurrence of the invariant reaction γ1→ αU + γ2 was confirmed, and the reaction temperature and composition were accurately identified. Moreover, the experimental findings clarify the dispute between the Dwight and Terekhov theories regarding the phase region (i.e., whether the phase region is αU + γ1 or βU + γ2). Furthermore, the U-Nb phase diagram was reassessed by incorporating the present experimental data and previously published reliable experimental data from the literature. A set of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters were developed using CALPHAD (Calculation of phase diagrams), and the calculations reasonably agree with the experimental observations.

Key words: U-Nb alloy, Monotectoid reaction, Phase diagram, Thermodynamic, Modeling