Metastable b.c.c. phase formation in the NbCr system

Extended metastable b.c.c. solid solutions of Nb-Xat.%Cr (X = 35, 77, 82 and 94) were synthesized by two-anvil splat-quenching. In addition, b.c.c. Nb-67at.%Cr was prepared by mechanically alloying mixtures of niobium and chromium powders. The lattice parameters were measured by X-ray diffraction and the Young's moduli by low load micro-indentation. The composition dependence of the lattice parameters and elastic moduli shows a positive deviation with respect to a rule of mixtures. During continuous heating at 15°C min^-1, the metastable precursoe b.c.c. phases decomposed at temperatures above 750°C to uniformly refined microstructures.