Reduced argon bubble formation in oxide dispersion strengthened steels by high-energy mechanical alloying

Abstract

We report a dramatic suppression of argon bubble formation in oxide dispersion strengthened steels through a high-energy mechanical alloying route. The volume fraction of argon bubbles trapped at the surface of the oxide particles is greatly reduced from 2.1×10−3 to 1.4×10−4%, when the milling energy input rate is increased from 20 to 190kJ/g∙hit. It is found that the higher milling energy, associated with a reduction of milling time, yields reduced argon contamination of the ball-milled powders, leading to enhanced microstructural homogeneity in consolidated oxide dispersion strengthened steels.