A dual-nanoparticle architecture for enhanced strength–ductility synergy in Mo alloys at elevated temperatures

Achieving a superior combination of strength and ductility in refractory metals at elevated temperatures, remains a longstanding challenge for applications under extreme service conditions. Here, this challenge is addressed through the construction of a dual-nanoparticle architecture in powder-metallurgical Mo alloys. Core–shell precursor powders were designed via a solid-state doping strategy using ex-situ TiC and ZrC nanoparticles (∼50 nm), which, after consolidation, produced two populations of non-shearable nanoscale dispersoids, namely semi-coherent TiC precipitates with an average size of 69 nm and in-situ formed ZrO 2 particles with an average size of 204 nm. The dual dispersoid architecture generates pronounced Zener pinning, leading to effective grain refinement and enhanced microstructural thermal stability. As a result, the alloy exhibits an ultimate tensile strength of 1081 MPa with an elongation of 17.1% at room temperature. More importantly, it retains an outstanding strength–ductility synergy at elevated temperatures, achieving 585 MPa with 44.7% elongation at 1000 °C and 497 MPa with 49.7% elongation at 1400 °C, outperforming previously reported Mo-based alloys. These results demonstrate that dual-nanoparticle engineering is an effective strategy for simultaneously improving strength, ductility, and thermal stability in Mo alloys, and provide a practical design route for refractory alloys intended for wide-temperature extreme-environment applications.