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Refractory Metal Cb-752-SR (Stress relieved)

Heat-treated state

UNS R04351

Pick when higher room- and mid-temperature strength is needed but some cold-work ductility must be retained.

High cost $$$$

Values for the SR condition

Other Cb-752 tempers and conditions

Cb-752 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at Cb-752.

Compare all 3 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
RXDefault
Recrystallized
Standard stocked condition: fully annealed (~1200–1315 °C vacuum), maximum ductility for forming, spinning and welding.31045025170 HB7.2 % IACS
SRThis page
Stress relieved
Pick when higher room- and mid-temperature strength is needed but some cold-work ductility must be retained.4705501818 HRC7 % IACS
Cold worked
Highest room-temperature strength and hardness; use for thin foil, springs and parts not exposed to recrystallization temperatures.620690824 HRC6.8 % IACS

What is Cb-752-SR?

Cb-752-SR is Cb-752 heat treated to SR — pick when higher room- and mid-temperature strength is needed but some cold-work ductility must be retained. Cb-752-SR has a yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 70% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi). Cb-752-SR has a density of 9.03 g/cm³ (0.326 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 2,470°C (4,478 °F). RX is the default condition FabDigit quotes; SR is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Tough — resists crack growth — 70 MPa·√m (63.7 ksi·√in), better than 84% of refractory metal grades

Cb-752-SR properties

Typical room-temperature values for Cb-752-SR; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Cb-752 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among refractory metal grades.

Physical3

Cb-752-SR has a density of 9.03 g/cm³ (0.326 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 2,470°C (4,478 °F).

Density9.03 g/cm³0.33 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)2,470°C4,478 °F
Liquidus Temperature2,500°C4,532 °F

Mechanical16

Cb-752-SR has a yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 70% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus110 GPa16 Msi
Shear Modulus40 GPa5.8 Msi
Bulk Modulus170 GPa24.7 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.38
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)550 MPa79.8 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)470 MPa68.2 ksi
Elongation at Break18%
Reduction in Area45%
Compressive Strength480 MPa69.6 ksi
Shear Strength340 MPa49.3 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)260 MPa37.7 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)60 J44.3 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell208 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B96 HRB
Hardness, Vickers220 HV

Thermal6

Cb-752-SR is rated for continuous service to 1,200°C (2,192 °F). It conducts heat at 39 W/m·K (22.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of refractory metal grades. Thermal expansion is 7.1 µm/m·K (3.94 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity39 W/m·K22.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity270 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)7.1 µm/m·K3.9 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion285 J/g123 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)1,200°C2,192 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

Cb-752-SR conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, better than 54% of refractory metal grades.

Electrical Conductivity7 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.46×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.69 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic (paramagnetic)

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), worse than 58% of refractory metal grades.

Corrosion ResistanceVery good72/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryHighly resistant to hydrochloric, nitric, sulfuric and phosphoric acids and to liquid alkali metals; attacked by HF, hot concentrated alkalis, and oxidizes catastrophically in air above ~400 °C; absorbs H, O and N at elevated temperature so hot work must be done in vacuum or inert gas.

Sustainability3

Producing a kilogram of Cb-752-SR takes about 950 MJ of energy and emits 62 kg of CO₂ — less than 55% of refractory metal grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)950 MJ/kg408,427 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)62 kg CO₂/kg
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability7

Cb-752-SR's machinability is poor (34/100, better than 73% of refractory metal grades); weldability good (68/100); formability good (55/100).

MachinabilityPoor34/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)28%
WeldabilityGood68/100
Formability (cold)Good55/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood60/100
PolishabilityGood60/100
Anodizing Responsen/a for structural finishing — Nb anodizes to decorative oxide colors but industrial parts use fused silicide (R512E) or aluminide coatings for oxidation protection.

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with Cb-752-SR

Is Cb-752 easy to machine?

Machine like a gummy austenitic alloy: sharp, positive-rake carbide or HSS tools, slow speed, heavy feed, flood coolant (chlorinated oil) to avoid galling and built-up edge; degrease thoroughly before any heat treatment.

Can Cb-752 be welded?

GTAW in a high-purity argon chamber or EB welding in vacuum; any air or hydrocarbon pickup embrittles the weld, so joints must be spotlessly clean and post-weld vacuum annealed if strength recovery is needed.

Can Cb-752 be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability in the annealed condition — spun, deep drawn and roll-formed into nozzle skirts; hot work only in vacuum or inert atmosphere with molybdenum-coated or canned tooling.

What surface finishes work on Cb-752?

Chemically mill/pickle in HF-HNO₃ mixtures, then apply a fused silicide (R512E) or aluminide coating for oxidizing high-temperature service; electropolishing gives the best surface for coating adhesion.

Cb-752 chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Wprimary solid-solution strengthener9 – 1110
Zroxide/carbide former, raises creep strength2 – 32.5
Taresidual≤ 0.5—
Hfresidual≤ 0.1—
Fe≤ 0.01—
Ti≤ 0.02—
C≤ 0.02—
Ointerstitial control critical for ductility≤ 0.02—
N≤ 0.01—
H≤ 0—
Nbbalance—

Cb-752-SR — frequently asked

What is Cb-752-SR used for?

Cb-752-SR is typically used for rocket nozzle extensions, re-entry vehicle leading edges and high-temperature aerospace sheet structures. In short: highly formable Nb-W-Zr sheet; legacy nozzle-skirt alloy; coating required above ambient service.

What is the yield strength of Cb-752-SR?

Cb-752-SR has a typical yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 70% of refractory metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.

Is Cb-752-SR easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (34/100, better than 73% of refractory metal grades). Machine like a gummy austenitic alloy: sharp, positive-rake carbide or HSS tools, slow speed, heavy feed, flood coolant (chlorinated oil) to avoid galling and built-up edge; degrease thoroughly before any heat treatment.

Can Cb-752-SR be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (68/100). GTAW in a high-purity argon chamber or EB welding in vacuum; any air or hydrocarbon pickup embrittles the weld, so joints must be spotlessly clean and post-weld vacuum annealed if strength recovery is needed.

What surface finishes work on Cb-752-SR?

Chemically mill/pickle in HF-HNO₃ mixtures, then apply a fused silicide (R512E) or aluminide coating for oxidizing high-temperature service; electropolishing gives the best surface for coating adhesion.

Can Cb-752-SR be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold formability in the annealed condition — spun, deep drawn and roll-formed into nozzle skirts; hot work only in vacuum or inert atmosphere with molybdenum-coated or canned tooling.

What is the maximum service temperature of Cb-752-SR?

Cb-752-SR is rated for continuous use to about 1,200°C (2,192 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between Cb-752-RX and Cb-752-CW?

RX is the default condition — standard stocked condition: fully annealed (~1200–1315 °C vacuum), maximum ductility for forming, spinning and welding. CW: highest room-temperature strength and hardness; use for thin foil, springs and parts not exposed to recrystallization temperatures. Yield strength is 310 MPa in RX versus 620 MPa in CW.

Sources

  1. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (refractory metals section) — ASM International (1990)
  2. Refractory Metals and Alloys — Niobium alloy property compilations (Cb-752, C-103, FS-85) — TMS / Battelle DMIC reports (1965)
  3. UNS R04351 alloy designation (Metals & Alloys in the Unified Numbering System) — SAE/ASTM (2017)
  4. Niobium alloy sheet, plate and bar datasheets — ATI / Wah Chang, Plansee (2022)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.