Structure and Mechanical Properties of ZrCr2 Intermetallic Compound within the Temperature Range 20–1300°C

We studied the properties of ZrCr2 intermetallic compound without crystallization cracks, obtained due to the introduction of excess zirconium (up to 2 at. %) with respect to the stoichiometric composition into the alloy. The melt was poured in a copper chill mold, and specimens for mechanical compression tests within the temperature range 900–1300°C were cut out of the castings. The short-term strength of intermetallic compound was σu = 665 and 140 MPa, and fracture took place mainly along the grain boundaries: below 1100°C, it was brittle, but, at higher temperatures (1200–1300°C), the plastic strain reached 5–7% prior to crack initiation and almost 30% before fracture. Plastic deformation is not accompanied by hardening. In the case of transcrystalline fracture, its type can be attributed to “venous,” which is characteristic of amorphous metallic materials.