| Abstract Scope |
To support highly demanding industries like aerospace and nuclear, there is a need to develop materials that can operate at yet higher temperatures & extreme environments. One way to meet these challenges is by using BCC superalloys with ordered-bcc intermetallics. These precipitates increase the alloy's strength, inhibit dislocation movement at high temperatures, and can potentially prevent grain growth. Further, the nano-scale particles lead to high interface density, which can be especially interesting for nuclear applications as possible sinks for irradiation defects. The objective of this work has been to design and optimise the compositions and thermomechanical conditions of new ferritic superalloys, or ‘intermetallic dispersion strengthened’ (IDS) steels by analogy to oxide ODS materials. Alloy design and phase prediction were carried out using CALPHAD, ingots produced through arc-melting, and heat treatments. Characterisation was performed using SEM, EBSD, EDX, and XRD, revealing the presence of intermetallics, as π-ferrosilicide, effectively reinforcing these alloys. |