Effects of additions of BCC former elements on protium absorbing properties of Cr-Ti-V alloys

Vanadium-based alloys with BCC structure are known to absorb high content of protium. The reduction of costs of the alloys requires to lower V content and to have higher protium capacity. The decrease of the V content in the alloys appears to form Laves phases, which results in reduced protium capacity. It is expected that BCC former addition to the alloys will form BCC phase with less V content inhibiting formation of Laves phase. The effects of the addition of BCC former elements such as Nb, Ta, Mo, and W on protium absorbing properties and the phases of Cr-Ti-V-M alloys have been studied. It has been found that Nb, Ta, and Mo additions are effective in forming BCC structures with improved homogeneity of the alloys, resulting in flattening the slope of plateau region of their PCT curves.