Refractory Metal E110
EN E110
E110 is the Russian-standard Zr-1%Nb alloy used as fuel cladding and structural material in VVER and RBMK reactors, supplied in RXA, SRA, CW, SHT-ANN, BAR-ANN and BQ conditions plus the E110M and E110opt variants.
Reference datasheet — E110 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the RXA condition
E110 tempers and conditions
E110 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. RXA is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RXADefault Recrystallization annealed | Standard VVER fuel-cladding tube condition: maximum ductility and creep/corrosion stability. | 255 | 390 | 30 | 155 HB | 3.5 % IACS |
Sheet/Strip | Flat product for spacer grids, guide-tube flats and structural strip; annealed for stamping/forming. | 260 | 400 | 32 | 155 HB | 3.5 % IACS |
Sponge-based (low-Hf electrolytic replaced by sponge route), annealed | Same nominal chemistry but produced from Zr sponge with controlled impurities to remove the high-temperature 'breakaway' oxidation weakness of electrolytic E110. | 265 | 400 | 29 | 158 HB | 3.5 % IACS |
Β-quenched + final anneal | Beta-quench refines/uniformly distributes β-Nb precipitates for improved corrosion and irradiation-growth behaviour. | 280 | 420 | 27 | 165 HB | 3.4 % IACS |
Modified (raised O and Fe), annealed | Choose for higher-burnup / higher-duty cores: added O and Fe raise strength, creep and high-temperature steam-oxidation resistance. | 330 | 455 | 24 | 175 HB | 3.3 % IACS |
Cold worked + stress-relief annealed | Pick when higher strength and creep resistance are needed and some ductility can be traded away. | 400 | 510 | 15 | 190 HB | 3.4 % IACS |
Cold worked | Intermediate mill condition or where maximum strength is wanted; low ductility, high residual stress. | 520 | 600 | 8 | 20 HRC | 3.3 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways E110 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
BAR-ANN | Bar/Rod | Supply form |
What is E110?
E110 is the Russian-standard Zr-1%Nb alloy used as fuel cladding and structural material in VVER and RBMK reactors, supplied in RXA, SRA, CW, SHT-ANN, BAR-ANN and BQ conditions plus the E110M and E110opt variants. Engineers select it for low neutron absorption and good corrosion resistance (90/100), with 255 MPa yield, 390 MPa tensile, 30% elongation and 155 HB, mainly as thin-wall tube, channel tube and bar. Service is limited to about 400 °C and the alloy needs inert-atmosphere joining; formability is good at 70/100. M5 is the closest Western Zr-1%Nb equivalent. E110 has a density of 6.55 g/cm³ (0.237 lb/in³), lighter than 77% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 1,850°C (3,362 °F). E110 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) — weaker than 70% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi).
What is E110 used for?
- VVER/RBMK fuel cladding
- fuel channel tubes
- reactor internals
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 86% of refractory metal grades
- Lightweight — 6.55 g/cm³ (0.237 lb/in³), better than 77% of refractory metal grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 75% of refractory metal grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 96 GPa (13.9 Msi), worse than 97% of refractory metal grades
E110 properties
Typical room-temperature values for E110-RXA; bars are the position among refractory metal grades.
Physical3
E110 has a density of 6.55 g/cm³ (0.237 lb/in³), lighter than 77% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 1,850°C (3,362 °F).
Mechanical16
E110 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) — weaker than 70% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi).
Thermal6
E110 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 17.5 W/m·K (10.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of refractory metal grades. Thermal expansion is 5.8 µm/m·K (3.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E110 conducts electricity at 3.5 % IACS, worse than 70% of refractory metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 75% of refractory metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E110 takes about 1,400 MJ of energy and emits 90 kg of CO₂ — more than 67% of refractory metal grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
E110's machinability is poor (32/100, better than 67% of refractory metal grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability very good (70/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the refractory metal family
Yield strength against density for every refractory metal grade FabDigit runs. E110 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E110
Is E110 easy to machine?
Use sharp carbide tools, slow speed / heavy feed, flood coolant and never let fine chips accumulate — Zr swarf is pyrophoric and the metal galls badly.
Can E110 be welded?
GTAW/EBW in a glove box, chamber or with full trailing and back purge (Ar/He); oxygen, nitrogen or moisture pickup causes immediate embrittlement.
Can E110 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold pilgering and drawing with intermediate vacuum anneals is the standard tube route; strong hcp texture makes properties directional, and sheet bends best across the rolling direction with generous radii.
E110 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Nbprincipal alloying addition | 0.9 – 1.1 | 1 |
| OE110M targets the upper end (0.06–0.10) | 0.03 – 0.1 | 0.06 |
| FeE110M: 0.05–0.10 % deliberate addition | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Hfnuclear grade, low neutron capture | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| C | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| N | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Si | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Ca | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Zr | balance |
What surface finishes work on E110?
Pickle in HNO3/HF then rinse thoroughly; nuclear parts get a steam/water autoclave pre-oxidation for a protective black oxide, and anodizing is available for non-nuclear decorative or wear films.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Refractory Metal E110 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- Zr1Nb
How much does E110 cost?
E110 is a high-cost refractory metal ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
E110 — frequently asked
What is E110 used for?
E110 is typically used for VVER/RBMK fuel cladding, fuel channel tubes and reactor internals. In short: russian VVER cladding standard; low neutron absorption; best-forming Zr-1%Nb grade.
What is the yield strength of E110?
E110 has a typical yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) — weaker than 70% of refractory metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is E110 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, better than 67% of refractory metal grades). Use sharp carbide tools, slow speed / heavy feed, flood coolant and never let fine chips accumulate — Zr swarf is pyrophoric and the metal galls badly.
Can E110 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). GTAW/EBW in a glove box, chamber or with full trailing and back purge (Ar/He); oxygen, nitrogen or moisture pickup causes immediate embrittlement.
What surface finishes work on E110?
Pickle in HNO3/HF then rinse thoroughly; nuclear parts get a steam/water autoclave pre-oxidation for a protective black oxide, and anodizing is available for non-nuclear decorative or wear films.
Can E110 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold pilgering and drawing with intermediate vacuum anneals is the standard tube route; strong hcp texture makes properties directional, and sheet bends best across the rolling direction with generous radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of E110?
E110 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between E110-RXA and E110-CW?
RXA is the default condition — standard VVER fuel-cladding tube condition: maximum ductility and creep/corrosion stability. CW: intermediate mill condition or where maximum strength is wanted; low ductility, high residual stress. Yield strength is 255 MPa in RXA versus 520 MPa in CW.
How much does E110 cost?
E110 is a high-cost refractory metal ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Waterside Corrosion of Zirconium Alloys in Nuclear Power Plants (TECDOC-996) / Thermophysical Properties Database (TECDOC-1496) — IAEA (2006)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Zirconium section) — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B350/B350M — Zirconium and Zirconium Alloy Ingots for Nuclear Application — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM B811 — Wrought Zirconium Alloy Seamless Tubes for Nuclear Reactor Fuel Cladding — ASTM International (2021)
- Zr-1Nb (E110) fuel cladding tube product information — TVEL / Chepetsky Mechanical Plant (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.