Creep response and deformation processes in nanocluster-strengthened ferritic steels

There is increasing demand for oxide-dispersion-strengthened ferritic alloys that possess both high-temperature strength and irradiation resistance. Improvement of the high-temperature properties requires an understanding of the operative deformation mechanisms. In this study, the microstructures and creep properties of the oxide-dispersion-strengthened alloy 14YWT have been evaluated as a function of annealing at 1000 °C for 1 hour up to 32 days. The ultra-fine initial grain size (approx. 100 nm) is stable after the shortest annealing time, and even after subsequent creep at 800 °C. Longer annealing periods lead to anomalous grain growth that is further enhanced following creep. Remarkably, the minimum creep rate is relatively insensitive to this dramatic grain-coarsening. The creep strength is attributed to highly stable, Ti-rich nanoclusters that appear to pin the initial primary grains, and present strong obstacles to dislocation motion in the large, anomalously grown grains.