THE MAGNESIUM-ZIRCONIUM SYSTEM-DIFFUSION AND CONSTITUTIONAL STUDIES

摘要

The bonding of zirconium to magnesium by short-time heating under pressure has been studied and the dependence on surface treatment and on zirconium purity has been demonstrated but not explored. Diffusion anneals of bonded couples have shown the existence of two zones - one of columnar crystals and a roughly constant zirconium concentration ~10w/o, and the other a region, showing fine precipitation, of solid solution of zirconium in magnesium (the maximum solubility measured by microprobe analysis being 3½-4w/o). No evidence has been found of a third zone, expected from American work, in which zirconium is severely embrittled by magnesium penetration. Growth rates of the zones are reported.