Microstructure and Activation and Hydrogenation Properties of Zr57V36Fe7 Alloy

Abstract:

The microstructure and phase structure of Zr57V36Fe7 alloy were investigated. Activation property of the Zr57V36Fe7 alloy was tested. Hydrogen absorption pressure composition temperature (P-C-T) property was investigated by a pressure reduction method at the temperatures ranging from 673 to 823 K. The results indicate that the microstructures of the alloy before hydrogen absorption are constituted of lath-shaped solid-solution grains and irregular lamellar eutectic structures. The dominant hydriding phases are ZrV2 phase and α-Zr phase. After hydrogen absorption the dominant phases are ZrH1.801 phase and V16Zr8H36.29 phase. The alloy can be fully activated by heating at 723 K for 1 h in vacuum followed by a hydrogen absorption and desorption cycle. P-C-T curve exhibits a wide and flat platform. The thermodynamic parameters of the reaction can be calculated using Van’t Hoff equation. The equilibrium hydrogen pressure can reach the level of 10-8 Pa at room temperature.