Hot deformation behavior of Zr-2.5Nb alloy: A comparative study using different materials models

• Flow stress behaviors are discussed during thermo-mechanical processing.
• Flow stress in (α+β) phase exhibits softening whereas in β phase it remains almost constant.
• We made comparative study using different materials model to delineate the safe and unsafe hot deformation parameters.
• Prediction of each model is validated using microstructural study and summarized in a table.
• DMM is best predictable model and hot deformation of Zr-2.5Nb alloy is safe at strain rate lower than 1 s−1.

Dynamic materials model (DMM), modified dynamic materials model (MDMM) and α-parameter were used to develop processing maps of Zr-2.5Nb alloy. Gleeble-3800® thermo-mechanical simulator was used to obtain flow stress at different temperatures and strain rates in the range of 700–925 °C and 0.01–10 s−1 respectively. Suitability of the three models in predicting the hot deformation behavior of Zr-2.5Nb alloy was evaluated by microstructural studies. DMM was found appropriate to delineate different deformation conditions for this alloy.

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