Application of friction stir processing in the consolidation of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) 14YWT ferritic steel

Due to a dense dispersion of insoluble, ultrafine-scale Y-Ti-O nano-oxides, which provide a high degree of irradiation tolerance and thermal stability, the nanostructured ferritic alloy 14YWT is a viable solution for in-core application in generation IV nuclear reactors. In most cases, high-temperature (850 °C) hot isostatic pressing, or extrusion is used to consolidate ball-milled Fe-Cr-W-Ti-Y2O3 powder, which is a highly expensive and time-consuming procedure. To address these concerns, a solid-state consolidation technique based on the principles of friction stir welding or processing (FSW/P) was examined in this study. Using this method, 14YWT (Fe–14Cr–3W–0.4Ti–0.3Y2O3 (wt.%)) powder was consolidated. According to the preliminary results, the degree of powder consolidation was observed to be a function of tool rotation rate, plunge depth, and tool plunge rate. Highly dense consolidation was achieved by this innovative approach. Microstructural characterization was performed by using advanced analytical tools such as X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron backscatter diffraction. The microstructure developed in the fully consolidated region resembled wrought microstructure.