Effect of Y/Ti atomic ratio on microstructure of oxide dispersion strengthened alloys

Highlights: • Controlling nano oxide distributions in ODS alloys by tuning Y/Ti ratio. • Advanced characterization techniques have been conducted to comprehensively study the various nano oxides. • A recipe with a Y/Ti ratio of 0.4 was found and the intrinsic oxide formation mechanism was explained. - Abstract: Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys are the leading candidate materials for advanced fission and fusion reactor components because of their excellent high temperature creep strength and radiation tolerance. The promising performance of ODS alloys relies on a high-density population of nano oxides. Here, four 9Cr-ODS alloys with varying initial Y/Ti atomic ratio were processed using a combined route of mechanical alloying (MA) and hot isostatic pressing (HIP). Microstructural characterizations of the consolidated alloys were examined by advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Great differences in oxide distribution behavior were observed. 9Cr-ODS alloy with a Y/Ti ratio of 0.4 presented the finest and the highest number density of nano oxides among the four alloys. The effects of Y/Ti ratio on oxide formation were explored, and the precipitated mechanisms of the nano oxides were interpreted.