Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a sheet, band or strip of zirconium alloy or hafnium alloy, comprising hot roughing of an ingot into a blank, then hot rolling of this blank in the alpha domain, this hot rolling including several passes which follow one or more reheatings in a furnace at one or more temperatures (TR), each of which improves the formability of this blank, then cold rolling which consists of one or more cycles of rolling pinch passing/heat treatment. The hot rolling pass following the last furnace reheating is followed by reheating of the hot rolled blank by at least 100.degree. C. at more than 4.degree. C./s by infrared heating means with a wavelength between 0.8 and 5 micrometers. The hot rolling is then continued until the thickness at the end of the hot rolling is less than or equal to 0.8 times the thickness of the hot rolled blank. The product obtained is used for the manufacture of zirconium or hafnium alloy parts for water-type nuclear reactors.

Abstract: An alloy comprising at least two refractory metals having melting temperatures differing by at least 200.degree. C., and being present in proportions by weight such that solidification begins at a temperature at least 150.degree. C. less than the solidification temperature of the metal having the highest melting point. The alloy is produced by coelectrodeposition, and is in the form of conglomerates of dimensions between 0.2 and 30 mm of crystals of size 0.1 to 1 mm, in which the refractory metals are in a solid solution state.