The alloy contains, by weight, at least 95% zirconium and from 0.01 to 0.1% sulphur
and, optionally, at least one element from the group consisting of the elements
tin, iron, chromium, hafnium, niobium, nickel, oxygen and vanadium, the balance
of the alloy consisting of inevitable impurities. The sulphur is present in the
alloy in the dissolved state, thereby improving the creep strength and in the form
of uniformly distributed fine precipitates, thereby improving the corrosion and
hydriding resistance. The alloy may be heated by a solution annealing treatment
in the phase followed by a quench or by a soak at a temperature below 950
C. in order to transform it into the or + phase.
