Mechanical dispersion of Y2O3 nanoparticles in steel EUROFER 97: process and optimisation

The procedures followed to produce Y2O3-dispersed EUROFER 97 powder ready to be compacted and hot isostatic pressing processed are reported. An attrition mill has been used under controlled conditions. The compositional and microstructural characterization of the Y2O3/EUROFER powder along the different steps of the milling process has allowed optimising the processing conditions to obtain a nanosized Y2O3 dispersion. TEM observations performed on Y2O3/EUROFER powder milled under these specific conditions reveal the presence of monoclinic Y2O3 dispersoids having sizes around 10 nm in the ferrite/martensite matrix. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.