TWI Frequently asked questions
by Paul Jackson
Oxide dispersion strengthened alloys (ODS alloys) typically consist of a high temperature metal matrix - such as iron aluminide, iron chromium, iron-chromium-aluminium, nickel chromium or nickel aluminide - with small (5-50nm) oxide particles of alumina (Al
2O
3) or yttria (Y
2O
3) dispersed within it.
Iron-based and nickel-based oxide dispersion strengthened alloys exhibit good corrosion resistance and mechanical properties at elevated temperatures. These alloys also show excellent creep resistance, which stems partly from the dispersion of oxide and other particles, and partly from the very large elongated grain structure. A typical structure is shown below.
