On the microstructure and strengthening mechanism in oxide dispersion-strengthened 316 steel: A coordinated electron microscopy, atom probe tomography and in situ synchrotron tensile investigation

An oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) 316 steel was developed to simultaneously provide the advantages of ODS steels in mechanical strength and radiation tolerance as well as the excellence of austenitic steels in creep performance and corrosion resistance. The precipitate phases within the austenite matrix were identified by the combined techniques of atom probe tomography (APT), scanning transmission electron microscopy equipped with electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDS), and synchrotron wide-angle and small-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS and SAXS). Coarse TiN, hexagonal YAlO₃ and orthorhombic YAlO₃ precipitates were found along with fine Y–Ti–O nanoparticles. In situ WAXS experiments were performed at room and elevated temperatures to examine the size effect on the load partitioning phenomenon for TiN, hexagonal YAlO₃ and Y₂Ti₂O₇ phases. In addition, the dislocation density evolution throughout the tensile tests was analyzed by the modified Williamson–Hall method and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations, revealing the difference in plasticity at various temperatures