Optimization of microstructure and tensile properties for a 13Cr-1W ODS steel prepared by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering using pre-alloyed powder

Abstract

An oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) 13Cr-1W steel has been fabricated through mechanical alloying (MA) and spark plasma sintering (SPS) using pre-alloyed Fe-Cr-W-Y powder and TiO2 powder. Sufficient MA effects, indicated by homogeneous distribution of alloying elements and high level of lattice strain inside the powder, have been obtained within 20 h of high-energy ball-milling. Grain refinement of the bulk materials is successfully achieved by optimizing the sintering temperature and pressure during SPS. A fine-grained ODS steel with average grain size of 626.75 nm is prepared when sintered at 950 °C/80 MPa. Ultrafine oxide dispersoids, identified as Y2O3, Y2TiO5 and Y2Ti2O7, are observed homogeneously distributed in the steel matrix after annealing. They have a number density of 4.5 × 1022 m−3 and an average size of 11.15 nm. Tensile tests from room temperature to 700 °C are conducted to this ODS steel. It exhibits an ultimate tensile strength and a yield strength of 1559.60 MPa and 1352.82 MPa at room temperature, respectively. Due to a good combination of dislocation strengthening, grain boundary strengthening and precipitation strengthening, this alloy wins superior tensile properties over most of the commercial ODS steels and those reported in some previous studies.