Nuclear Applications of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened and Nano-Featured Alloys: An Introduction

Abstract

The Nuclear Materials Committee of TMS is sponsoring the current topic in JOM, which is dedicated to a newer generation of materials called oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys and nano-featured alloys (NFA). These newer materials are fabricated by using powder stock materials and processing them through high energy attrition followed by either extrusion or forging. The presence of nano-sized oxides throughout the matrix makes the recrystallized alloy have grains that are smaller than 1 µm diameter. The nano-features in the matrix of ODS or NFA materials make them highly resistant to degradation by irradiation such as void swelling. There are four papers dedicated to ODS and NFA materials, including fabrication, joining and testing.