Microstructural Features of Hot Deformed Nb-1Zr-0.1C Alloy

Niobium-based alloys are well-established refractory materials; as a result of their high melting temperature and good creep properties, these alloys find their applications in nuclear reactors. The present study deals with a microstructural response of these materials during hot working. The evolution of microstructure and texture during high-temperature deformation has been investigated in the temperature range 1500-1700A degrees C and strain rate range of 0.001-0.1 s(-1). For each deformed sample, the microstructure has been examined in detail. The microstructural features clearly revealed the formation of a substructure and the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization in a proper temperature-strain rate window. At low strain rates, the necklace structure formation was more prominent.