Abstract
A novel amorphous silicon oxycarbide dispersion-strengthened (SiOC-DS) austenitic steel has been fabricated via a powder metallurgy process. The microstructure of dispersion particles has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), revealing that amorphous SiOC nanoparticles with an average particle size of 30 nm were homogeneously distributed in the austenite grains with a sub-micrometer grain size. The high strength and hardness of SiOC-DS may be attributed to grain boundary strengthening, as well as dispersion strengthening via dislocation–particle interactions that were revealed by TEM investigations. In situ ion irradiation experiments showed that amorphous SiOC particles were stable after irradiation of 3.7 dpa, and the SiOC/steel interface can be an effective sink for the annihilation of irradiation defects. The excellent mechanical and irradiation properties of SiOC-DS austenitic steel make it a promising structural material for nuclear applications.
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