Hydride formation by zirconium-iron alloys and by η-phase Zr4Fe2O0.6

Two hydrides based on zirconium-rich Zr-Fe alloys have been investigated using Mossbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and gas analysis. The first hydride, which is based on binary Zr-Fe alloys, decomposes peritectoidally on heating above 400 degrees C, leading to the formation of ZrH2 and ZrF2. Its crystal structure and its range of homogeneity are not yet resolved. The second hydride, Zr4Fe2O0.6H5.4 has the Ti2Ni structure and is related to the oxygen-stabilised eta -phase Zr4Fe2O0.6.