Nanometer size oxide particles in 9Cr-ODS steel are dispersed finely and densely in a matrix by the hot-solidification process. The size and density distribution of dispersed oxide particles is recognized as one of the main issues for ensuring good microstructural stability and high temperature strength in a high temperature (<700 C) and neutron irradiation (250 dpa) environment. However, the behavior of oxide particles in the hot-solidification process has not been determined yet. This study evaluated the correlation between nano-size oxide particles and the heat treatment temperature and time in order to characterize the mechanism of formation and the behavior during growth and coalescence of these particles in 9Cr-ODS steel raw powder. XRD and SAXS measurements were made using high-energy synchrotron radiation X-rays in SPring-8. This is the first report of the oxide complex particles (Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 and Y 2 TiO 5 ) being formed from 800 to 960 C, and they were observed to grow and coalesce on increasing both heat-treatment temperature and time.
The effects of chemical compositions on the microstructure and high-temperature creep strength of 9Cr-ODS steel was discussed in the light of quantitative data of -ferrite proportion and nano-size oxide particle dispersion, which were evaluated by dilatometric analysis and small angle neutron/X-ray scattering analysis, respectively. These quantitative data are well consistent with the conventional data obtained by transmission electron microscope. Both data indicate that the important microstructural feature for creep strength improvement of the 9Cr-ODS steel is the number density of nano-size oxide particles, and ferrite/martensite (F/M) duplex structure is favorable for high population nano-size oxide particle dispersion. Both optimization of excess oxygen concentration and control of the F/M duplex structure are promising technique for nano-structure control of 9Cr-ODS steel. Tungsten solid solution strengthening appears to be small compared with oxide dispersion strengthening enhanced by duplex microstructure formation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.