SUMMARY:
UCLA researchers in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Department of Materials Science and Engineering have developed a method for manufacturing oxide-dispersion strengthened (ODS) steel and alloys through liquid metallurgy, to achieve bulk ODS steels and other high temperature alloys with uniformly dispersed small nanoparticles (5-100 nm).
BACKGROUND:
Oxide-dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels and alloys are highly desired in the fields of aerospace, nuclear power, and other applications with demanding conditions due to their extraordinary mechanical properties at high temperature. Specific applications include high temperature turbine blades and heat exchanger tubing. ODS is also promising in additive manufacturing. Conventionally, ODS steels are produced primarily through solid state processes, in which the oxide nanoparticles are ball milled (for dispersion) with steel and other alloy powders at the desirable concentration, and the ball milled powders are consolidated to form bulk ODS steel and alloys. The main limitations associated with this method are extremely high production costs and long processing times. Thus, there is the need for a novel production method of ODS for mass production at low costs.
INNOVATION:
UCLA researchers have developed a method for manufacturing oxide-dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels and alloys through liquid metallurgy, a common and cost-effective method for the mass production of metals. This approach results in a cost reduction of one or two orders of magnitude over current methods. To achieve ODS manufacturing by liquid metallurgy, two primary challenges were overcome. First, the UCLA method improves the wettability and stable dispersion between the molten metal and the oxide nanoparticles. Second, this method prevents the sintering of the oxide nanoparticles during incorporation.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
- Oxide-dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels and alloys
ADVANTAGES:
- Liquid metallurgy production method
- Good bonding between molten steel and oxide nanoparticles
- No sintering of oxide nanoparticles
- Low production cost
- Low production time
- High output volume
- Compatible with various steels and oxide nanoparticles
- Tunable volume percentage
DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:
First description of complete invention (oral or written) has been accomplished.