Structure, radiation resistance and thermal creep of ODS ferritic steels

The microstructure, tensile properties and high-temperature creep of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels were investigated. It was shown that a high degree of hardening of ODS steels is determined by a large density of dislocations and dispersed yttrium oxides 2–3 nm in diameter. ODS steels have significant advantages over typical ferritic–martensitic steels with respect to their creep resistance and strength under high stress and temperature. The kinetics of accumulation and annealing of radiation defects under electron and neutron irradiation at 77 and 340 K, and the effect of neutron irradiation at 77 and 683 K on tensile properties of ODS steels were studied.