Study of the structural stability of the Nb–Cr alloy upon cyclic microdeformation

Abstract

Results of investigations of the stability of a structural Nb–Cr alloy subjected to cyclic mechanical loading have been presented. It has been established that, upon deformation, the alloy shows a structural instability that manifests in the form of a local cyclic microinhomogeneous redistribution of elements depending on the applied external loads and, as a process for the refinement and growth of crystallites. Based on these phenomena, the oscillating character of significant internal structural stresses has been explained, which are changed in the region that is limited by the strengthening–softening curves and characterizes the cyclic strength of the alloy.