Hydrogen-induced disproportionation characteristics of Zr(1 − x)Hf(x)Co(x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) alloys

• Zr(1 − x)Hf(x)Co(x = 0,0.1,0.2, and 0.3) alloys were fabricated by arc melting.
• We have studied the effect of hafnium substitution on hydrogen-induced disproportionation.
• We have studied the effect of temperature on hydrogen-induced disproportionation.
• We find Zr0.7Hf0.3Co alloy has much better ability of anti-disproportionation than ZrCo.

Doping hafnium to partially substitute zirconium in ZrCo is a promising strategy to improve the ability to resist hydrogen-induced disproportionation. Herein, Zr(1 − x)Hf(x)Co(x = 0,0.1,0.2, and 0.3) alloys were fabricated by arc melting and the effect of hafnium substitution ratio and temperature on their hydrogen-induced disproportionation was studied. Additionally, the disproportionated products were characterized by XRD, DSC and TDS. Results showed that disproportionation rate and the extent of disproportionation decreased with hafnium substitution ratio increasing from 0 to 30% and increased with temperature increasing from 400 °C to 550 °C. It was exciting that Zr0.7Hf0.3Co alloy had much better ability of anti-disproportionation than ZrCo in hydrogen pressure of about 200 kPa when temperature increasing from 400 °C to 550 °C, which was practical for tritium application.