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The microstructure and mechanical properties including room temperature fracture toughness Kq, tensile strength σb and elongation δ at 1250℃ of the Nb based alloy directionally solidified in an electron beam floating zone melting (EBFZM) furnace have been evaluated. The microstructure is primarily composed of Nb solid solution (Nbss), α-(Nb)5Si3 and (Nb)3Si phases. After directional solidification with the moving rate of electron beam gun R being respectively 2.4, 4.8 and 7.2 mm/min, the primary Nbss dendrites, Nbss + (Nb)5Si3/(Nb)3Si eutectic colonies (lamellar or rod-like) and divorced Nb silicide plates align along the longitudinal axes of the specimens. When R = 2.4 mm/min, the best directional microstructure is obtained. Directional solidification has significantly improved both the σb at 1250℃ and Kq. The maximumσb occurs for the specimens with R = 2.4 mm/min and is about 85.0 MPa, meanwhile, the Kq is about 19.4 MPam1/2. |
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Keywords:niobium based alloy, niobium silicides, ultrahigh temperature alloy, directional solidification, microstructure, mechanical properties |
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