The alloy systems zirconium-cerium and zirconium-lead

The phase diagrams of the systems zirconium-cerium and zirconium-lead have been determined mainly by the method of quenching and microscopic examination. The zirconium α→β transformation in the zirconium-cerium system is lowered and is completed by a eutectoid reaction; there are no intermetallic compounds and a range of liquid immiscibility exists on the cerium side of the diagram. Phase relations in the zirconium-lead system have been determined up to 20–25 at% lead. The zirconium α→β transformation is raised and completed by a peritectoid reaction; two intermetallic compounds have been observed corresponding to the compositions Zr4Pb and Zr5Pb3. The effect of lead on the lattice parameters of zirconium has also been investigated. An Appendix has been added to to provide a thermodynamic representation of the zirconium-rich end of the Zr-Pb phase diagram.