Thermo-kinetic Model of Creep Controlled by Thermally Activated Detachment of Dislocations from Nano-oxides Revisited

  • Svoboda, Jiri (Czech Academy of Sciences)
  • Zickler, Gerald Andreas (Montanuniversität Leoben)
  • Dymacek, Petr (Czech Academy of Sciences)
  • Ressel, Gerald (Materials Center Leoben Forschung GmbH)

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Coarse-grained ferritic oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys represent the top creep and oxidation-resistant materials for applications at 1000-1300 °C. The long-term shape stability of loaded parts is conditioned by extremely low creep rates ensured by the sticking of dislocations at the back side of nano-oxides. At such temperatures, however, the detachment of dislocations from the nano-oxides takes place by thermal activation. The recent models of this phenomenon assume that dislocations move by slip and only oxides have to be overcome by a combination of slip and climb. This is, however, not an equilibrium configuration, to which the fluctuation theory can successfully applied to treat the detachment. Thus, such models are applicable for temperatures significantly below 1000 °C. To fill this gap, we have developed a new model applicable to temperatures over 1000 °C, where dislocation climb in the matrix is also considered and the dislocations fluctuate around their equilibrium configurations. The creep rate is then determined by the detachment frequency of dislocations from the nano-oxides. The simulations based on the model indicate that the energy barrier for dislocation detachment is up to five times higher than that according to the state-of-the-art models. The creep strength benefits from an increased volume fraction, optimal size of nano-oxides of about 20 nm and increased dislocation line-energy reduction at the particle/matrix interface influenced by chemical interaction of the nano-oxide with the matrix. The present model thus provides recommendations, how the ODS alloys with the best long-term creep resistance should be designed.