An X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of an oxide dispersion strengthened steel

Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels are being investigated as possible structural material for components of future nuclear power plants. The dispersoids in the matrix (yttria particles) serve as pinning points for moving dislocations, and thereby improve the creep behavior of the material. Depending on the product, the dimension of the particles is in the range from a few nm up to 100 nm. The material properties depend on the size distribution. It is also expected that other parameters of the dispersoids may influence the materials behavior. An extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) study has been conducted on PM2000 (ferritic ODS steel) samples, in order to determine the structure of the yttria inclusions. A PM2000 sample, which had been irradiated with He ions of 1.5 MeV up to a matrix-damage of ∼1 displacement per atom (dpa) in a surface layer of 2.7 μm in depth was measured. A multi angle implantation was performed, in order to avoid damage peaks as function of depth. A direct comparison of the EXAFS spectra and of the Fourier transformations shows no major difference between the irradiated samples and the non-irradiated one. Therefore any potential radiation induced damage or phase transformation of the dispersoids must be minor, which indicates good radiation stability under the given circumstances.