Microstructure and hydrogenation properties of a melt-spun non-stoichiometric Zr-based Laves phase alloy

• Role of defects on hydrogenation kinetics of Zr-based alloys is proposed.
• Microstructure and hydrogenation properties of as-cast/melt-spun alloy are compared.
• Melt-spinning technique improves the hydrogenation kinetics of Zr0.9Ti0.1V1.7 alloy.
• Refined grains and twin defects account for improved hydrogen absorption kinetics.

Alloy with composition of Zr0.9Ti0.1V1.7 off normal stoichiometric proportion is selected to investigate the effect of defects introduced by non-stoichiometry on hydrogenation kinetics of Zr–Ti–V Laves phase alloys. Microstructure and phase constituent of melt-spun ribbons have been investigated in this work. The activation process, hydrogenation kinetics, thermodynamics characteristics and hydride phase constituent of as-cast alloy and melt-spun ribbons are also compared. Comparing with the as-cast alloy, the dominant Laves phase ZrV2 is preserved, V-BCC phase is reduced and α-Zr phase is replaced by a small amount of Zr3V3O phase in melt-spun ribbons. Melt-spun ribbons exhibit easy activation and fast initial hydrogen absorption on account of the increased specific surface area. However, the decrease in unit cell volume of the dominant phase leads to the decrease in hydrogen absorption capacity. Melt-spinning technique raises the equilibrium pressure and decreases the stability of hydride due to the decrease of unit cell volume and the elimination of α-Zr phase, respectively. Melt-spun ribbons with fine grains show improved hydrogen absorption kinetics comparing with that of the as-cast alloy. Meanwhile, the prevalent micro twins observed within melt-spun ribbons are believed to account for the improved hydrogen absorption kinetics.