Effects of the Addition of Intermetallic Compounds Based on Zr in the First Hydrogenation Process of the TiCr_1.1V_0.9 Alloy

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of the addition of the intermetallic compounds ZrMn₂ and Zr₇Cu₁₀ to the alloy TiCr_1.1V_0.9, in terms of the resulting structure and hydrogen absorption/desorption properties. 4 wt % of each intermetallic compound was co-melted into the TiCr_1.1V_0.9, creating two new alloys. The resulting structure, as studied by X-ray, predominantly exhibited a body-centered cubic (BCC) structural phase coexisting with a C14 Laves phase. A SEM analysis found C14 Laves phase to be distributed at the grain boundaries of the BCC structure. An analysis carried out using Sieverts-type equipment showed that this type of microstructure could be advantageous due to the fact that hydrogen absorption capacity did not decrease with the addition of the intermetallic compounds, in fact, its value increased to 3.85 wt %. Additionally, the structure exhibited fast hydrogen absorption kinetics.