Role of activation energies of individual phases in two-phase range on constitutive equation of Zr-2.5Nb-0.5Cu alloy

Dominant phase during hot deformation in the two-phase region of Zr-2.5Nb-0.5Cu (ZNC) alloy was studied using activation energy calculation of individual phases. Thermo-mechanical compression tests were performed on a two-phase ZNC alloy in the temperature range of 700-925 °C and strain rate range of 10−2-10 s−1. Flow stress data of the single phase were extrapolated in the two-phase range to calculate flow stress data of individual phases. Activation energies of individual phases were then calculated using calculated flow stress data in the two-phase range. Comparison of activation energies revealed that α phase is the dominant phase (deformation controlling phase) in the two-phase range. Constitutive equations were also developed on the basis of the deformation temperature range (or according to phases present) using a sine-hyperbolic type constitutive equation. The statistical analysis revealed that the constitutive equation developed for a particular phase showed good agreement with the experimental results in terms of correlation coefficient (R) and average absolute relative error (AARE).