Processing and structure of a Nitrogen Alloyed Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Austenitic Stainless Steel by mechanical alloying

Pure metallic powders of Fe, Cr, Ni, W, Ti and nano-Y2O3 powders were mechanical alloyed by high energy mechanical milling under N2 atmosphere to develop a nitrogen contained oxide dispersion strengthened austenitic steel powders. The compositions of the mixed powders are Fe-18Cr-8Ni-2W-1Ti-0.35Y2O3. The effects of milling time on nitrogen absorption were investigated. The nitrogen contents in the as-milled powders reached 0.31 wt% after milling for 60 hours and nearly 0.8 wt% after milling for 150 hours. The as-milled powders were then annealed under vacuum at 1173K and 1373 K to promote the formation of the resultant equilibrium phases. Fully austenitic structure was achieved after annealing at 1173K.