Strengthening due to coherent Cr precipitates in Fe–Cr alloys: Atomistic simulations and theoretical models

Atomistic simulations were carried out to study the interaction of dislocations with Cr precipitates in body-centered cubic Fe and Fe–10%Cr at 0 K. The results are compared with predictions of theoretical models accounting for precipitate strengthening based on different mechanisms. It is shown that solute hardening (in Fe–Cr matrix) and precipitate hardening can be considered, as a good approximation, to be additive effects.