Optimization of Electric-Pulse Consolidation Regimes to Obtain High-Density Dispersion-Hardened Reactor Steel

Research on the development of EP-450 high-density, Y2O3-oxide dispersion-hardened, reactor ferritemartensite steel is described. All available parameters influencing the final density of the compacts were varied in the course of the preparation of the powders and electric-pulse consolidation. The research established that samples with density equal to 99% of the theoretical value can be obtained for the following optimized mechanical activation and electric-pulse consolidation parameters: mechanical alloying time 30 h, optimal Y2O3 amount 0.2–0.5 wt.%, sintering temperature 825–890°C, climb rate to the prescribed temperature >300°C/min, load 70–80 MPa, holding time at the load – without isothermal holding or holding for ≥3 min.