The role of dispersoids in maintaining the corrosion resistance of mechanically alloyed oxide dispersion strengthened alloys

Abstract

Amongst the various commercial mechanically alloyed (MA) oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys available, ferritic alloys are most suitable for use at temperatures exceeding 1,100 C, since {gamma}{prime} particle dissolution results in the loss of strength of nickel based MA ODS alloys. In commercial MA ODS alloys, yttria particles are commonly added in the starting powers, and it is well known that they are not retained in the final product because they react with aluminum and oxygen present in the system during thermomechanical processing and form mixed (Y,Al) oxide particles. In this paper the role of (Y,Al) oxide particles in maintaining the overall aluminum concentration in the matrix necessary to repair the outer oxide scale is discussed. It is well known that during exposure in air, aluminum is lost from the bulk of MA ODS alloys to the growth of a surface alumina film. The extent of aluminum lost is dependent on the section thickness and can significantly affect the volume fraction of the aluminum rich dispersoids. Coarsening of the dispersoids at temperatures up to 1,200 C in the thick MA 956 bar occurs without significant aluminum loss, while their volume fraction increases continuously. However, coarsening of the dispersoids in themore » thinner ODM 751 tube at 1,200 and 1,300 C is accompanied by dissolution of the dispersoid particles in order to maintain the aluminum concentration in the matrix.« less