2. Heat treatments in the – range Influence on microstructure and properties

As a reminder, a zirconium alloy processing range schematically comprises :

• melting an ingot,

• hot roughing by forging,

• a quench from the β domain,

• hot deformation (extrusion, rolling) in β phase, with possible annealing in α phase,

• a series of cold deformations and heat treatments in phase α.

The product thus obtained (strip, sheath tube or guide tube, for example) will no longer be subjected to heat treatment, except in exceptional cases (such as welding).