Refractory Metal E110-BQ (Β-quenched + final anneal)
Heat-treated state
EN E110
Beta-quench refines/uniformly distributes β-Nb precipitates for improved corrosion and irradiation-growth behaviour.
Values for the BQ condition
Other E110 tempers and conditions
E110 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at E110.
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 |
BQThis page 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 |
What is E110-BQ?
E110-BQ is E110 heat treated to BQ — beta-quench refines/uniformly distributes β-Nb precipitates for improved corrosion and irradiation-growth behaviour. E110-BQ has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 63% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi). E110-BQ 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). RXA is the default condition FabDigit quotes; BQ is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 27%, better than 78% of refractory metal grades
- Lightweight — 6.55 g/cm³ (0.237 lb/in³), better than 77% of refractory metal grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 96 GPa (13.9 Msi), worse than 97% of refractory metal grades
E110-BQ properties
Typical room-temperature values for E110-BQ; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E110 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among refractory metal grades.
Physical3
E110-BQ 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-BQ has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 63% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi).
Thermal6
E110-BQ 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-BQ conducts electricity at 3.4 % IACS, worse than 72% of refractory metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 86% of refractory metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E110-BQ 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-BQ's machinability is poor (31/100, better than 64% of refractory metal grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (62/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E110-BQ
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.
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.
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 | — |
E110-BQ — frequently asked
What is E110-BQ used for?
E110-BQ 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-BQ?
E110-BQ has a typical yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 63% of refractory metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is E110-BQ easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (31/100, better than 64% 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-BQ 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-BQ?
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-BQ 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-BQ?
E110-BQ 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.