Patent US3645800A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3645800A
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Method for producing wrought zirconium alloys
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1965-12-17
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Granted: 1972-02-29
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Expires: 1985-12-17
Abstract
Abstract 1. The method of producing zirconium-base alloys having improved mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, the steps comprising heating the alloy to a temperature within the all beta phase region for a period of time to place in solution the alloying components and impurities while preventing excessive grain growth, quenching the alloy at a rate of at least 90* F. per minute to a temperature below the all alpha phase temperature, reheating the alloy to a temperature within the all alpha phase region, hot working the alloy while in the alpha phase to effect a minimum reduction in cross-sectional area of at least 40 percent to final size, annealing the alloy at a temperature within the alpha phase, and thereafter cooling the alloy to room temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 James W Mock
- 👤 William C Bowen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:45
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22F; C22F1/00; C22F1/16; C22F1/18; C22F1/186; C22C; C22C16/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
THE METHOD OF PRODUCING ZIRCONIUM-BASE ALLOYS HAVING IMPROVED MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND CORROSION RESISTANCE, THE STEPS COMPRISING HEATING THE ALLOY TO A TEMPERATURE WITHIN THE ALL BETA PHASE REGION FOR A PERIOD OF TIME TO PLACE IN SOLUTION THE ALLOYING COMPONENTS AND IMPURITIES WHILE PREVENTING EXCESSIVE GRAIN GROWTH, QUENCHING THE ALLOY AT A RATE OF AT LEAST 90* F. PER MINUTE TO A TEMPERATURE BELOW THE ALL ALPHA PHASE TEMPERATURE, REHEATING THE ALLOY TO A TEMPERATURE WHILE IN THE ALPHA PHASE REGION, HOT WORKING THE ALLOY WHILE IN THE ALPHA PHASE TO EFFECT A MINIMUM REDUCTION IN CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF AT LEAST 40 PERCENT TO FINAL SIZE, ANNEALING THE ALLOY AT A TEMPERATURE WITHIN THE ALPHA PHASE, AND THEREAFTER COOLING THE ALLOY TO ROOM TEMPERATURE.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
THE METHOD OF PRODUCING ZIRCONIUM-BASE ALLOYS HAVING IMPROVED MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND CORROSION RESISTANCE, THE STEPS COMPRISING HEATING THE ALLOY TO A TEMPERATURE WITHIN THE ALL BETA PHASE REGION FOR A PERIOD OF TIME TO PLACE IN SOLUTION THE ALLOYING COMPONENTS AND IMPURITIES WHILE PREVENTING EXCESSIVE GRAIN GROWTH, QUENCHING THE ALLOY AT A RATE OF AT LEAST 90* F. PER MINUTE TO A TEMPERATURE BELOW THE ALL ALPHA PHASE TEMPERATURE, REHEATING THE ALLOY TO A TEMPERATURE WHILE IN THE ALPHA PHASE REGION, HOT WORKING THE ALLOY WHILE IN THE ALPHA PHASE TO EFFECT A MINIMUM REDUCTION IN CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF AT LEAST 40 PERCENT TO FINAL SIZE, ANNEALING THE ALLOY AT A TEMPERATURE WITHIN THE ALPHA PHASE, AND THEREAFTER COOLING THE ALLOY TO ROOM TEMPERATURE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
137 words
The method of claim 1 in which the alloys have a composition consisting essentially of, by weight, from 1.0 percent to 2.0 percent tin, from 0.05 percent to 0.25 percent iron, from 0.05 percent to 0.15 percent chromium, from 0.007 percent to 0.08 percent nickel, and the balance essentially zirconium with incidental impurities, and the alloy is heated to a temperature ranging from 1,950* to 2,050* F., quenching the alloy to a temperature below the all alpha phase at a minimum quenching rate of 90* F. per minute, hot working the alloy to effect a minimum reduction in the cross-sectional area of 40 percent while at a temperature within the range between 1.150* F. and 1,500* F. annealing the alloy within the temperature range of 1,400* to 1, 500* F., and cooling the alloy to room temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 2 in wHich the alloy is preliminarily heated to a temperature within the range from 1,725* to 1,825* F., and hot worked at a temperature in excess of about 1,400* F., such hot working effecting a reduction in cross-sectional area to an amount in excess of a 40 percent reduction to final size said preliminary heating and hot working occurring prior to the step of heating the alloy in the temperature range of 1,950* to 2, 050* F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 in which the alloy is preliminarily heated into the beta phase temperature range and preliminarily hot worked until the temperature reaches a minimum of 1,400* F., reheated to a temperature within the range between 1,940* F. and 2,090* F. and thereafter quenched in water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 in which the hot working of the alloy to effect a minimum reduction of 40 percent in cross-sectional area is performed above the temperature of 1,150* F., and in which the alloy member is air cooled from the annealing range of 1,400* to 1,500* F.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
167 words
The method for producing alloys having a composition consisting essentially of, by weight, from 1.0 percent to 2.0 percent tin, from 0.05 percent to 0.25 percent iron, from 0.05 percent to 0.15 percent chromium, from 0.007 percent to 0.08 percent nickel, and the balance essentially zirconium with incidental impurities the steps comprising heating the alloy to a temperature ranging from 1,725* to 1,825* F., hot working the alloy above a temperature of about 1,400* F., reheating the alloy to a temperature ranging from 1,950* to 2,050* F. for 2 to 4 hours, quenching the alloy to a maximum temperature below the alpha and the alpha plus beta range at a minimum quenching rate of 90* F. per minute, hot working the alloy from a temperature of about 1,450* F. down to a minimum reduction of 40 percent in cross-sectional area to final size, annealing the alloy at a temperature within the all alpha phase region for one-quarter to 2 hours, and cooling the alloy to room temperature.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
167 words
The method for producing alloys having a composition consisting essentially of, by weight, from 1.0 percent to 2.0 percent tin, from 0.05 percent to 0.25 percent iron, from 0.05 percent to 0.15 percent chromium, from 0.007 percent to 0.08 percent nickel, and the balance essentially zirconium with incidental impurities the steps comprising heating the alloy to a temperature ranging from 1,725* to 1,825* F., hot working the alloy above a temperature of about 1,400* F., reheating the alloy to a temperature ranging from 1,950* to 2,050* F. for 2 to 4 hours, quenching the alloy to a maximum temperature below the alpha and the alpha plus beta range at a minimum quenching rate of 90* F. per minute, hot working the alloy from a temperature of about 1,450* F. down to a minimum reduction of 40 percent in cross-sectional area to final size, annealing the alloy at a temperature within the all alpha phase region for one-quarter to 2 hours, and cooling the alloy to room temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 in which the ratio by weight of quenching water to metal is within the range between 15:1 and 25:
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-28 | 1975-08-30 | 1976-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-28 | 1979-08-30 | 1980-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-28 | 1983-08-30 | 1984-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |