Dispersion-Strengthened Vanadium Alloys. Bimonthly Report No. 2, February 14, 1963-April 13, 1963

Arc-melting and powder metallurgy techniques are being used to incorporate fine, refractory dispersants in V-- Nb base alloys in order to improve their long-time elevatedtemperature strength properties. Solution annealing and aging studies of arc-melted alloys containing Hf or Zr in combination with C indicate that the Hf carbide phase is the more stable. The hydride process was used to obtain powders of V-60 wt% Nb-1 wt% Ti, to which fine oxide or carbide powders were added. After blending, coldcompacting, sintering at 2800 l F, and annealing at 2000 and 2400 l F, specimens containing alumina and thoria exhibited a high degree of reactivity with the alloy base. Improved stability was noted in the alloys containing ceria, lanthana, yttria, Hf carbide, and Zr carbide. (auth