Enhancement of FeCrAl-ODS steels through optimised SPS parameters and addition of novel nano-oxide formers

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • A. Meza - , Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Instituto IMDEA Materiales (Author)
  • E. Macía - , Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Author)
  • M. Serrano - , CIEMAT (Author)
  • C. Merten - , Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (Author)
  • U. Gaitzsch - , Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (Author)
  • T. Weißgärber - , Chair of Powder Metallurgy, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (Author)
  • M. Campos - , Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Author)

Abstract

A novel approach to incorporating oxide formers into ferritic ODS production has been developed using the co-precipitation technique. This method enables the tailored design of complex nano-oxides, integrated during Mechanical Alloying (MA) and precipitated during Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) consolidation. Findings illustrate that co-precipitation effectively produces nano-powders with customised compositions, enriching Y, Ti, and Zr in the ferritic grade to condition subsequent oxide precipitation. While the addition of Y–Ti–Zr–O nano-oxides did not prevent the formation of Y–Al–O and Al-containing nano-oxides, these were refined thanks to the presence of well-dispersed Zr. Additionally, the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) parameters were optimised to tailor the bimodal grain size distribution of the ODS steels, aiming for favourable strength-to-ductility ratios. Comprehensive microstructural analyses were performed using SEM, EDS, EBSD, and TEM techniques, alongside mechanical assessments involving microtensile tests conducted at room temperature and small punch tests carried out at room temperature, 300 °C, and 500 °C. The outcomes yielded promising findings, showcasing similar or better performance with conventionally manufactured ODS steels. This reinforces the effectiveness and success of this innovative approach.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2584-2594
Number of pages11
JournalNuclear Engineering and Technology
Volume56 (2024)
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - 9 Feb 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Co-precipitation, Mechanical alloying, ODS steel, Small punch tests, Spark plasma sintering, Zirconium