SANS study of the nanosized features in oxide dispersion strengthened alloys

The development of new materials with improved performance is necessary to achieve the worldwide aim of sustainable growth. Nuclear fusion is one of the most promising options to cope with the increase in global energy demand from non-fossil energy sources. The energy, i.e. the electricity, is generated under extreme conditions inside of these reactors. Thus, the structural materials that sustain the reactor play a major role in the viability of fusion energy power. ODS RAF steels are among the most advanced materials for structural systems and in nuclear devices. They are currently investigated as improved structural material candidates for nuclear fusion reactors. These materials exhibit high resistance to deformation and to neutron radiation at very elevated temperatures. Thus, the aim of my work is to investigate two ODS RAF steels with nominal composition Fe–14Cr–2W–0.4Ti-0.3Y2O3 and Fe–14Cr–2W–0.3Zr-0.24Y (wt. %). We will obtain a multidisciplinary analysis of the steel under study by means of different characterization techniques. First, we focus on the microstructure characterization by electron microscopy techniques; second, we link the mechanical response of the material to the microstructure characterization; and third, we use advance techniques of characterization for a more detailed analysis as X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Small-Angle Neutron Scattering.