Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) steels are candidate materials for both fission and fusion nuclear reactors. In this study, the microstructure of ferritic (Fe-14Cr-1W) and ferritic / martensitic (Fe-9Cr-1W) ODS steels has been characterized after two different processing routes: Hot Extrusion (HE) and Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP). Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction (TKD) revealed the presence of Ti-rich precipitates on every specimen. They are identified by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) as Ti(C,N) and Ti-O (Ti2O3 or TiO2). Intergranular M7C3 and M23C6 have been observed on most Fe-14Cr ODS steels except one, where no Cr-carbides have been found. In Fe-9Cr ODS, intergranular Cr-rich M23C6 carbides have been found. The lack of M7C3 on Fe-9Cr ODS is possibly linked to the matrix phase transformation, not occurring in the Fe-14Cr ODS. Cr-carbides display highly elongated shapes for the Fe-14Cr HE specimens that could be detrimental to the mechanical behavior of the material.
QC 20240222