Effect of tube processing methods on microstructure, mechanical properties and irradiation response of 14YWT nanostructured ferritic alloys

Abstract In this research, innovative thermal spray deposition (Process I) and conventional hot extrusion processing (Process II) methods have been used to produce thin walled tubing (∼0.5 mm wall thickness) out of 14YWT, a nanostructured ferritic alloy. The effects of processing methods on the microstructure, mechanical properties and irradiation response have been investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and, micro- and nano-hardness techniques. It has been found that these two processes have a significant effect on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-fabricated 14YWT tubes. Even though both processing methods yield the formation of various size Y-Ti-O particles, the conventional hot extrusion method results in a microstructure with smaller, homogenously distributed nano-oxides (NOs, Y-Ti-O particles