Study on hot deformation behaviour and microstructure of Zr-4 alloy

Abstract The isothermal compression experiment of Zr-4 alloy was accomplished by using Gleeble-3500 thermomechanical simulator. The hot deformation behaviour at the strain rate of 0.001~10s -1 and the deformation temperature of 750~1000°C was researched. The characteristics of flow stress were studied. The result is that the flow stress has a great influence on the deformation temperature and the strain rate. Based on the experimental data, the strain rate sensitivity map (m) was established. Through microstructure observation, the zones at lower m value are mainly flow localization (750 °C/10s -1 ) and kink (950 °C/10s -1 ). The zones at higher m value are mainly spheroidization. The result is that at strain rate of 0.01~0.1s -1 /deformation temperature of 900~1000 °C is the suitable deformation parameter of Zr-4 alloy.