Effect of various alloying elements on the martensitic transformation in Zr–0.8 Sn alloy

The effect of Fe, V, Sb and Mn content on the characteristics of the martensitic transformation in Zr–0.8Sn alloys has been studied by transmission electron microscopy. Slipped martensite exhibiting entangled dislocations within martensitic a-plates has been encountered in Zr–0.8Sn and Zr–0.8Sn–xFe alloys. Differently from them, a fine basketweave structure was found in Zr–0.8Sn–xMn alloys. In Zr–0.8Sn–xV alloys, however, slipped martensite changed to internally twinned martensite with increasing V content. On the other hand, the microstructural change of martensite to basketweave structure occurred with increasing Sb content in Zr–0.8Sn–xSb alloys. The transition of slipped martensite to twinned martensite and of twinned martensite to basketweave structure in zirconium-based alloys was due to the decrease of the MS temperature.