Synthesis and structural properties of Ni-20Cr-2Y2O3 nanocomposite alloy prepared by a very high energy mechanical milling

► Very high energy mechanical milling (energy ∼180 kJ g−1 hit) was applied to fabricate the Ni-20Cr-2Y2O3 nanocomposite alloy. ► Homogeneous nanocomposite powders were synthesized in less than an hour, especially using the cheaper coarse oxide powders. ► Structural evolution of Y2O3 oxides and solution behavior of Ni-Cr were comprehensively investigated. ► After consolidation, precipitations of nano-sized oxide dispersoids were clarified by the TEM study using an oxide replica.