Nb Solid Solution Research Articles

Study of austenite grain growth and recrystallization behavior in pipeline steels containing niobium

Abstract The austenite grain growth and recrystallization behaviors of three pipeline steels with different Nb contents were investigated through reheating and thermal simulation compression experiments. The initiation conditions for dynamic and sub-dynamic recrystallization of austenite were analyzed, and sub-dynamic recrystallization equations in Avrami form were established. The influences of Nb content and deformation conditions on the evolution of grain size during austenite recrystallization was examined. The findings indicate that the austenite grain size of the three steels increases gradually with higher reheating temperatures, while the average grain size decreases with increasing Nb content. Sub-dynamic recrystallization initiation temperatures for the B150-steel, B145-steel, and 73-steel were found to be 920 °C for 10 s, 940 °C for 30 s, and 960 °C for 30 s, respectively. During high-temperature deformation, Nb in solid solution hindered recrystallization by impeding grain boundary and dislocation movement. At lower deformation temperatures, Nb(C, N) precipitation pinned grain boundaries and dislocations and consumed substantial free energy, thus competing with recrystallization. As Nb content increased, strain-induced precipitation became more pronounced, resulting in more effective inhibition of recrystallized grain growth.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of the Powder Metallurgy Nb-16Si-24Ti-2Al-2Cr Alloy.

The Nb-16Si-24Ti-2Al-2Cr alloy was prepared by plasma rotating electrode process (PREP) technology and the hot-pressing (HP) method, and the effects of sintering temperature on the microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture behavior were investigated. The HP alloys sintered at temperatures below 1400 °C are composed of Nbss (Nb solid solution), Nb3Si and Nb5Si3 phases. When the sintering temperature reaches 1450 °C, the Nb3Si phase is completely decomposed into Nbss and Nb5Si3 phases. Meanwhile, the microstructure coarsens significantly. Compared with the cast alloy, the HP alloy shows better mechanical properties. The fracture toughness of the alloy sintered at 1400 °C reaches 20.2 MPa·m1/2, which exceeds the application threshold. The main reason for the highest fracture toughness is attributed to the decomposition of large-sized brittle Nb3Si phase and the formation of a fine microstructure, which greatly increases the number of phase interfaces and improves the chance of crack deflection. In addition, the reduction in the size and content of silicides also reduces their plastic constraints on the ductile Nbss phase.

Towards developing Ti2AlC coatings with improved oxidation resistance via Nb solid solution

Solid solution MAX phase coatings of (Ti1-x, Nbx)2AlC, fabricated using a hybrid technique combining high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) and DC magnetron sputtering (DCMS), were extensively evaluated for their oxidation resistance at 750 ℃. Compared to Ti2AlC, the oxidation rate of (Ti1-x, Nbx)2AlC significantly decreased, primarily due to the inhibition of non-protective TiO2 oxide growth. A thin, single-layer oxide scale consisting of TiO2 and Al2O3 formed on the (Ti1-x, Nbx)2AlC coatings, while the Ti2AlC coatings were nearly completely consumed after 24 h oxidation. The substitution of Ti4+ with Nb5+ played a crucial role in reducing the number of oxygen vacancies and enhancing the oxidation resistance of Ti2AlC.

Research on the strengthening mechanism of Nb–Ti microalloyed ultra low carbon IF steel

Interstitial free (IF) steels are characterized by their interstitial free ferritic matrix due to addition of micro-alloying elements that draw carbon and nitrogen out of matrix to form carbonitrides. The IF steels typically have excellent deep drawing ability, certain mechanical strength, and high plastic deformation performance. In this paper, the microstructure evolution and carbides precipitation behavior during the hot rolling, cold rolling and annealing processes have been studied using both experimental and thermodynamic and kinetic modeling approaches. The strengthening mechanism of Nb–Ti microalloyed IF steel has been investigated. The results of the thermodynamic simulation indicates that the addition of Nb into Ti bearing IF steel promotes recrystallization at 900 °C, leading to fine recrystallized grains. Due to the recrystallization of austenite during the final rolling process, Nb–Ti microalloyed hot rolled plates exhibit finer grain size, fewer substructures, and lower dislocation density compared to the hot rolled plates containing only Ti. Building upon the initial fine and uniform structure, Nb–Ti microalloyed steel maintains a refined structure after undergoing cold rolling and annealing. The study of the carbides precipitation behavior suggests that TiN precipitates at high temperature above 1100 °C, while a substantial amount of (Nb,Ti)C and TiC precipitate at about 900 °C in Nb–Ti and Ti bearing steels, respectively. There is no significantly difference between the amount of carbides in steels hot deformed at 900 °C and in the hot rolled plates, indicating that the carbides mainly precipitate during the hot rolling process. There are negligible carbides precipitated during the coiling process at 600 °C. In Nb–Ti containing steel, Nb and Ti in solid solution are significantly reduced due to the large amount precipitation of (Nb,Ti)C during the final rolling process. The reduction of solid solution Nb effectively promotes the recrystallization of austenite. Therefore, the grains of hot-rolled, cold-rolled, and annealed strips are refined. In addition, there are more small size carbides in Nb–Ti bearing steel than that in Ti bearing steel. Therefore, the higher strength of Nb–Ti steel is mainly from the strengthening effect of grain refinement and carbides precipitation.

Microstructure, Compressive Properties and Oxidation Behaviors of the Nb-Si-Ti-Cr-Al-Ta-Hf Alloy with Minor Holmium Addition

In the present research, the Nb-Si-Ti-Cr-Al-Ta-Hf alloys with different Ho addition were prepared. Their microstructure, compressive properties and oxidation behaviors were investigated preliminarily. The results exhibit that the Nb-Si-Ti-Cr-Al-Ta-Hf alloy has coarse microstructure which is mainly composed of Nb solid solution, Nb5Si3 and Ti5Si3 phases. The minor Ho addition could refine the microstructure and suppress the precipitation of Ti5Si3 phase. Moreover, the Ho addition also leads to the formation of Ho2Hf2O7, which prefers to precipitate along the Nbss/Nb5Si3 phase interface. Compared with the Nb-Si-Ti-Cr-Al-Ta-Hf alloy, the minor Ho addition improves the room-temperature and high-temperature compressive properties of the alloy. Its room-temperature compressive strength and ductility obtain the maximum value of 1825 MPa and 16.5% when the Ho content is 0.1 at.%. Moreover, its best compressive strength at 873 K, 1273 K and 1473 K is 1495 MPa, 765 MPa and 380 MPa, respectively, when the Ho addition is 0.1 at.%. The oxidation behavior of the Nb-Si-Ti-Cr-Al-Ta-Hf alloy is diversified with the Ho addition. The oxidation rate of the alloy with 0.1 at.% Ho addition is the lowest while the alloy with 0.2 at.% Ho addition is the highest. Therefore, the 0.1 at.% Ho would be the appropriate content for the Nb-Si-Ti-Cr-Al-Ta-Hf alloy.

Corrosion behavior of Nb-doped FeCrAl alloy in 500°C steam

The corrosion behavior of Fe-13Cr-4Al-2.2Mo, a candidate cladding material for accident tolerant fuel, doped with varying concentrations of Nb (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt%), was investigated under conditions of 500°C/10.3 MPa superheated steam. Upon exposure, a triple-layer oxide film comprising outer, inner, and diffusion oxide layers was formed. The results indicate that the addition of Nb significantly enhances the corrosion resistance of this alloy by reducing the thickness and porosity of the oxide film. The enhanced volume diffusion rate of Al and Cr, facilitated by the solid solution Nb, along with the inhibited inward diffusion of oxidant ions along grain boundaries owing to Laves phase precipitates, contributed to the enhanced corrosion resistance of the Nb-doped Fe-13Cr-4Al-2.2Mo alloy.

Evolution of texture and intergranular stresses of αZr and minority phases in Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube through synchrotron X-ray diffraction

This study investigates the impact of different processing steps on the crystallographic texture evolution of αZr and minority phases βZr and ωZr, and intergranular stresses as a function of grain orientation in a Zr2.5Nb pressure tube. This was done by analysis of diffraction data recorded in the 1-ID line of the Advanced Photon Source for high energy X-Rays (∼80 Kev) in transmission geometry on three samples with different processing conditions: extruded, cold rolled and after autoclaving. The crystallographic texture of both αZr and βZr phases changes slightly after cold rolling, with the Burgers orientation relationship between the two phases remaining intact. The texture of βZr and ωZr shows that βZr decomposition during thermal treatment is sensitive to grain orientation. A new method was proposed to obtain the orientation dependence of the intergranular stresses from the experimental pole figures. Intergranular stresses in αZr grains were low after extrusion, but rolling significantly increased them, with values with magnitude as higher as 350 MPa and a strong dependence on grain orientation. The autoclaving treatment leads to important stress relaxation, but the dependence on grain orientation remains. The βZr phase grains exhibit significant intergranular strains in both extruded and cold-rolled conditions; the hydrostatic part was associated to the presence of Nb in solid solution, with content of ∼20 % and an orientation dependence of approximately ±1 at%. The deviatoric strain was attributed to intergranular stresses, with stresses below 80 MPa for the extruded sample and ranging from −600 to 400 MPa after cold rolling.

Effect of V and Nb on the microstructure and properties of high strength and toughness steel for petroleum casing

The utilization of high-strength and tough petroleum casing steel has become the focus of various research groups worldwide, particularly in the past decade. However, defining its forming behavior presents several challenges, stemming from the complexity of enhancing strength and toughness on the steel's characteristics. To address this issue, this study employed a low-carbon microalloyed steel and introduced V and Nb elements sequentially, resulting in three groups of steels under investigation. Subsequently, mechanical properties and microstructure characteristics were examined. Interestingly, the addition of V and Nb elements resulted in both tensile and yield strengths above 1200 MPa and 1173 MPa, respectively, satisfying the criteria for the V170 oil casing. Furthermore, after adding V, V(C,N) precipitates uniformly in the steel. Still, the Nb element is not completely precipitated as there is a significant amount of Nb in solid solution. The effective grain size of the investigated steel increases from 0.92 μm to 0.98 μm after adding V and Nb elements, accompanied by a reduction in the fraction of HAGB from 47.4 % to 42.4 %. Therefore, V element plays a vital and positive role in improving the mechanical properties of the experimental steel, while Nb element has only a minor effect.

Collaborative optimization of microstructure, phase composition and room-temperature fracture toughness of Nb−Si based alloys using Ti, Zr and Hf elements

The Nb−16Si−xTi−yZr−zHf (x=18, 22; y=0, 4; z=0, 4; at.%) alloys were prepared by arc melting to investigate the influence of elementsTi, Zr and Hf additions on the phase constitution, microstructure, fracture toughness and crack propagation behavior. The results show that the single addition of 4 at.% Zr promotes the eutectoid reaction of (Nb,X)3Si phase to Nb solid solution(Nbss)/γ-(Nb,X)5Si3 eutectic, and simultaneous addition of Ti, Zr and Hf further promotes the eutectoid reaction. The crack trends to propagate in (Nb,X)3Si phase, and the crack deflects when the crack meets Nbss. The fine Nbss/γ-(Nb,X)5Si3 eutectic and Nbss/γ-(Nb,X)5Si3 lamellar structures can induce the crack bridging and branching, and hinder the crack growth. Nb−16Si−22Ti−4Zr−4Hf alloy with the highest content of alloying elements exhibits the highest room-temperature fracture toughness (11.62 MPa·m1/2), which is 87.7% higher than that of the Nb−16Si−18Ti alloy. The performance improvement is mainly attributed to the presence of lamellar eutectic structure.

Dramatic improvement of the strength of laser welded joints of Nb521 to GH3128 by adding pure copper as an interlayer

Weld cracks and low weld strength of Nb521 to GH3128 dissimilar metal welded joint are key factors influencing their weldability. To obtain favorable crack-free laser welded joints, this research adopted copper as an interlayer to research the microstructure and properties of laser direct welded and laser offset welded joints of Nb521 to GH3128 superalloy. Compared to previous research results, the tensile strength of laser direct welded joints is enhanced by 2.5 folds. There is a melting reaction layer at the position where the center welded joints are adjacent to the Nb521 base metal, and Ni3Nb and Laves phases are present in the layer. The copper solid solution is located in the center of fusion zone, and Ni3Nb-Laves hard particles are found. The phases near the side of GH3128 superalloy base metal are Ni solid solution, Cu solid solution, Ni3Nb/Cr2Nb hard particles and high melting point alloy mixture. Macrosegregation at the laser offset welding fusion zone is more serious. The phases near the Nb521 base metal are Nb solid solution, Cu solid solution, Ni3Nb and Cu/Cr eutectic structure. At the center of the fusion zone, Cu solid solution, Ni3Nb and Cu/Cr eutectic structure are observed. The phases near GH3128 base metal are Ni solid solution, Cr2Nb phase and Cu solid solution. Mean Vickers hardness values of the direct welded fusion zone is 271.7 ± 129.8 HV, which reduces mismatching of hardness of the joints to a certain degree. As there are Laves phase and Ni3Nb brittle phase in the melting reaction layer adjacent to Nb521 base metal, the microhardness value is up to 589.1 HV. The average microhardness of the offset welded fusion zone is 449.1 ± 217.4 HV, which is higher than the hardness of Nb521 and GH3128 base metals, due to increasing number of brittle phases in the joints. Strength values of the direct welded and offset welded joints are 418.7 ± 49.8 MPa and 364.3 ± 24.5 MPa respectively, which are separately 86.0% and 74.8% of Nb521 base metal. Fractures are all found to occur at the fusion zone on the side of Nb521. The direct welded joints exhibit mixed fracture characteristics with dimples and cleavage facets on the fracture, while the offset welded joints are characterized by brittle fracture.

Transition from micro-rod to nano-lamella eutectics and its hardening effect in niobium/silicide in-situ composites

To improve the mechanical properties of niobium/silicide in-situ composites via rapid solidification, the evolution of eutectic geometry and the corresponding hardening effect in a prototype Nb–18Si (at.%) composite upon electron beam surface melting (EBSM), i.e., a rapid remelting and solidifying sequence, were studied. Results show that rod-like Nb solid solution (Nbss)/Nb3Si eutectics prevail in the arc-melted state, yet evolve into lamellar arrangements after EBSM. Atomic scale scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and near-atomic scale atom probe tomography (APT) were employed to characterize the three-dimensional stacking of nano-laminated Nbss/Nb3Si eutectics and their compositions. Compared with the rod-like eutectics, the lamellar eutectics via EBSM demonstrate a prominent eutectic refinement (39.5 nm in spacing) and an increased volume fraction of Nbss (~41%). Nano-indentation testing reveals that with the microstructural transition from micro-rod to nano-lamella eutectics, a significant increment in hardness up to 13.9 GPa is achieved.

Microstructural evolution during annealing of a powder metallurgical TiAl–Nb composite and its effect on mechanical properties

Ductile Nb particles have been applied to toughen TiAl-based intermetallic alloys due to the positive effects of the Nb element on their mechanical and processing properties. However, the room-temperature (RT) fracture toughness of powder metallurgical (PM) TiAl–Nb composites needs further improvement to avoid micro-cracks in complex components prepared by PM near-net shape technologies. Herein, a facile heat treatment—annealing in the (α+γ) phase region for a short duration and air-cooling—was applied to strengthen and toughen a PM TiAl–Nb composite. The phase and microstructure evolution of the PM composite during annealing, and their effects on mechanical properties and fracture behaviors, were investigated specifically. It is found that after annealing, the volume fraction of α2 phase increased markedly, while that of the B2 phase decreased significantly, and the Nb solid solution (Nbss) phase almost completely disappeared; the microstructures of the TiAl–Nb composite became significantly finer and more uniform overall, and the microstructure type of the TiAl matrix transformed from near-gamma (NG) to duplex (DP). Both the RT tensile strength and fracture toughness of the TiAl–Nb composite improved markedly after annealing. The strengthening mechanisms for the as-annealed composite were primarily based on the phase and microstructure evolution. The toughening mechanisms for the as-annealed composite included the generation of shear ligaments, delaminations, crack deflection and branching. The improvement in tensile strength and the reduction in work-hardening exponent made the composite tougher through facile annealing. The incorporation of Nb particles and further heat treatment can efficiently facilitate the improvement in fracture toughness of PM TiAl-based alloy.

Mössbauer and X-ray Studies of Radiation-Induced Processes in Nb-Zr Alloys Implanted with 57Fe Ions.

The effect of implanting 57Fe ions on the crystal structure of Nb-Zr alloys has been studied using Mössbauer spectroscopy on 57Fe nuclei and X-ray diffraction. As a result of implantation, a metastable structure was formed in the Nb-Zr alloy. The XRD data indicated a decrease in the crystal lattice parameter of niobium; that is, there was a compression of the niobium planes when implanted with iron ions. Mössbauer spectroscopy revealed three states of iron. The singlet indicated a supersaturated Nb(Fe) solid solution; the doublets characterized the diffusion migration of atomic planes and crystallization of voids. It was shown that the values of the isomer shifts in all three states did not depend on the implantation energy, which indicates the invariance of the electron density on the 57Fe nuclei in the studied samples. The resonance lines of the Mössbauer spectra were significantly broadened, which is typical for materials with low crystallinity and a metastable structure that is stable at room temperature. The paper discusses the mechanism of radiation-induced and thermal transformations in the Nb-Zr alloy, which leads to the formation of a stable well-crystallized structure. A Fe2Nb intermetallic compound and the Nb(Fe) solid solution formed in its near-surface layer, while Nb(Zr) remained in the bulk.

Interfacial microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Al2O3/Al2O3 joints brazed with Ti–Ni–Nb filler metal.

Herein, prepared Ti40–Ni40–Nb20 (at. %) alloy was utilized as a filler metal to join Al2O3 ceramic. The effect of brazing temperature and holding time on the interfacial microstructure evolution and shear strength of joints were analyzed systematically. The results demonstrated that AlNi2Ti, Ni6Nb7 and layered Ni2Ti4O formed adjacent to Al2O3 ceramic. The microstructure of Al2O3 joint brazed at 1200 °C for 10 min was Al2O3/AlNi2Ti + Ni6Nb7 + Ni2Ti4O/Ti2Ni/TiNi + Nb solid solution (Nbss) eutectic + (Ti,Nb)2Ni/Ti2Ni/Ni2Ti4O + Ni6Nb7 + AlNi2Ti/Al2O3. As brazing temperature or holding time raised, the Ni2Ti4O layer nearby Al2O3 ceramic, AlNi2Ti and Ni6Nb7 developed tremendously whereas TiNi + Nbss eutectic structure gradually increased and tended to coarsen. Eventually, the TiNi + Nbss eutectic structure and (Ti,Nb)2Ni in brazing seam were replaced gradually by bulk Ni6Nb7 because of the depleted Ti element. The shear strength of joints was first increased and then decreased with the increasing of the temperature/holding time. The Al2O3/Al2O3 joints brazed at 1200 °C for 10 min received the maximum shear strength of 93.2 MPa, and the joints fractured primarily at the brazing seam/Al2O3 interface.

W–Ta–Nb solid solutions prepared by vacuum arc melting: Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties

In order to further improve the strength and toughness of W–Ta solid solutions and ensure the high specific gravity characteristics of the material, the effect of low content of Nb on the microstructure evolution and performance of W–30Ta solid solutions was performed. The results showed that the phase composition of W–Ta–Nb alloys was single phase W–Ta–Nb solid solutions. The compressive strength of W–Ta–Nb solid solutions increased first and then decreased upon increasing the Nb content. The amount of solid solution of Nb in W–Ta–Nb solid solutions increased and the interplanar spacing increased upon increasing the Nb content. Nb has the effect of refining the grain of tungsten alloy. The grain size gradually decreased upon increasing the Nb content. The addition of a small amount of Nb can effectively improve the strength and toughness of W–Ta–Nb solid solutions. The addition of a small amount of Nb reduced the energy required for the initiation of ductile dislocations in W–Ta–Nb solid solutions.

Kinetics of High-Temperature Nitridation of Zr–Nb Solid Solutions

Kinetics of High-Temperature Nitridation of Zr–Nb Solid Solutions

Influence of Al on microstructural evolution and mechanical behaviour of Nb–9Ti–8C alloys

ABSTRACT Nb–9Ti–8C–xAl (at.-%) alloys with Al content of 0, 5%, 10% and 15% were prepared using the vacuum arc-melting method, and microstructural evolution and mechanical behaviour were investigated. Nb–9Ti–8C–(0, 5)Al alloys are composed of body-centred cubic (bcc) Nb solid solution (Nbss), face-centred cubic (fcc) (Nb, Ti)C and close-packed hexagonal Nb2C phases. As Al content increases, besides Nbss and (Nb, Ti)C, Nb3Al phase precipitates. After heat treatment at 1100°C for 24 h, Nb2C phase disappears gradually and massive Nb3Al phase precipitates. Nbss and internal Nb3Al phase exhibit lamellar structure. Al addition favours the enhancement of compressive strength (σ 0.2 and σ max), Nb3Al precipitation can significantly improve the strength of Nb–9Ti–8C alloy, but reduce its toughness. With test temperature increases, the strength decreases obviously.

Zr addition-induced transitions of deformation mechanism at high temperatures of Nb-Si-Ti based multi-alloys: Super-dislocations in γ-Nb5Si3

In this work, mechanisms of two different deformation and fracture modes at 1250 °C of directional solidified Nb-Si-Ti based multi-alloys are investigated to explore the influence of element Zr on the high temperature properties. The 5Zr alloy exhibits the least drop of tensile strength and it shows the best comprehensive property of the plasticity and the tensile strength. Zr reduces α-Nb5Si3 and weakens the load-carrying capacity at high temperatures. Meanwhile, γ-Nb5Si3 are introduced by the addition of Zr which improve the plasticity and provides a significant work hardening to recover the tensile strength at 1250 °C. New super-dislocations are discovered for the first time with a slip system of <11¯01>(112¯0) in γ-Nb5Si3 which significantly improve the plasticity and promotes a coordinated deformation between Nb solid solutions and γ-Nb5Si3. Due to the different phase compositions, two models are derived to discuss the deformation mechanisms at high temperatures. In order to achieve an enough tensile strength at high temperatures, it is suggested that microstructures consisting of two phases is more beneficial to provide a good load-carrying capacity (Nbss/α) or a significant work hardening (Nbss/γ) at high temperatures.

Morphological Heredity of Intermetallic Nb5Si3 Dendrites in Hypereutectic Nb-Si Based Alloys via Non-Equilibrium Solidification

For hypereutectic Nb-Si based alloys, primary Nb5Si3 phases typically grow in a faceted mode during equilibrium or near-equilibrium solidification, which damages the ductility and toughness. To address this issue, here we artificially manipulate the growth morphology of Nb5Si3 using electron beam surface melting (EBSM) and subsequent annealing treatments. Results show that such a non-equilibrium solidification pathway enables the transition from faceted growth to non-faceted dendritic growth of Nb5Si3, along with evident microstructure refinement, generation of metastable β-Nb5Si3 phases and elimination of chemical segregation. The transformation from β-Nb5Si3 to α-Nb5Si3 and Nb solid solution (Nbss) particles is triggered by the annealing treatment at 1450 °C for 5 h. Also, we find the annealing-mediated formation of inherited Nb5Si3 dendrites that maintain the dendritic morphology of the original as-solidified β-Nb5Si3 dendrites. This work thus provides a feasible routine to obtain thermally stable and refined α-Nb5Si3 dendrites in hypereutectic Nb-Si based alloys.

Stability, deoxidation, and sintering characteristics of activated Mo–10%Nb solid-solution powders prepared by mechanical alloying

Refractory Mo–10%Nb sputtering targets play a key role in the electronic integrated circuit and flat panel display industries. However, the fabrication of high-performance Mo–10%Nb sputtering targets is a challenging task. In order to improve the sintering densification and homogeneity of Mo–10%Nb targets, activated Mo–10%Nb solid-solution powders were prepared and characterised in our previous study. In this research, the structural stability, deoxidation characteristics, and sintering behaviours of activated Mo–10%Nb solid-solution powders were investigated. The results revealed that the crystal structure and composition of the activated powders had good stability when stored in vacuum at room temperature for 30 days. Further, the oxygen content of the activated powders was mainly concentrated at the surface, as confirmed by electron probe microanalysis and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry. The oxygen content could be significantly decreased from ∼6000 to ∼3000 ppm by a deoxidation process using Mg as the reductant. Finally, the density of the sintered billet increased from 86.19 to 91.36% upon using the Mo–10%Nb solid-solution powder, and the homogeneity of the composition and microstructure was greatly improved. Moreover, the average grain size decreased from 20.89 to 6.69 μm. This research suggests that activated Mo–10%Nb solid-solution powders can effectively improve the quality of sintered Mo–10%Nb targets.