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Low-alloyed zirconium alloys are widely used in nuclear applications due to their low neutron absorption cross-section. These alloys, however, suffer from limited strength. Well-established guidelines for the development of Ti alloys were applied to design new two-phase ternary Zr alloys with improved mechanical properties. Zr-4Sn-4Nb and Zr-8Sn-4Nb alloys have been manufactured by vacuum arc melting, thermo-mechanically processed by annealing, forging, and aging to various microstructural conditions and thoroughly characterized. Detailed Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the microstructural response of the alloys is rather similar to alpha + beta Ti alloys. Duplex microstructure containing primary alpha phase particles surrounded by lamellar alpha + beta microstructure can be achieved by thermal processing. Mechanical properties strongly depend on the previous treatment. Ultimate tensile strength exceeding 700 MPa was achieved exceeding the strength of commercial Zr alloys for nuclear applications by more than 50%. Such an improvement in strength more than compensates for the increased neutron absorption cross-section. This study aims to exploit the potential of alpha + beta Zr alloys for nuclear applications.

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Beta titanium alloy Ti-35Nb-6Ta-7Zr-0.7O (wt%) was developed as a material intended for the manufacturing of a stem of a hip joint replacement. This alloy contains only biocompatible elements and possesses a very high yield strength already in the cast condition (900 MPa). However, the porosity, large grain size and chemical inhomogeneity reduce the fatigue performance below the limits required for utilization in the desired application. Two methods of hot working, die forging and hot rolling, were used for processing of this alloy. Microstructural evolution, tensile properties and fatigue performance of the hot worked material were investigated and compared to the cast material. Microstructural observations revealed that porosity is removed in all hot-worked conditions and the grain size is significantly reduced when the area reduction exceeds 70%. Static tensile properties were improved by both processing methods and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 1200 MPa was achieved. Fatigue results were more reproducible in the hot rolled material due to better microstructural homogeneity, but forging leads to an improved fatigue performance. Fatigue limit of 400 MPa was achieved in the die-forged condition after 70% of area reduction and in the hot rolled condition after 86% of area reduction.