Kinetics of Annealing of Deformation Defects in the Model Alloy Zr–Sn–Fe–Cr

An annealing of deformation defects in the model alloy Zr–1.4 wt % Sn–0.2 wt % Fe–0.1 wt % Cr after the final stage of thermomechanical processing of the alloy—cold deformation (25%), heating to 400°C, and holding at this temperature for 3 h—was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the temperature range from room to 620–680°C and at a heating rate of 2–5°C/min. The structure of the alloy was studied before and after DSC studies by transmission electron microscopy. Two stages of annealing of deformation defects were recorded, which were interpreted as polygonization and primary recrystallization of the alloy. By kinetic analysis using the Avrami–Erofeev equation, it was found that the activation energy of the first stage is 127 kJ/mol, and the activation energy of the second stage is 146 kJ/mol.