Optimization of mechanical synthesis parameters for the production of oxide dispersion-strengthened steels

The article presents the results of a study on the effect of mechanical synthesis (MS) parameters on the structural formation of powder mixtures for the production of oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) steels. Particular attention was paid to the morphology, elemental composition, and particle size obtained under various processing conditions. The experiments demonstrated that the addition of stearic acid significantly influences particle structure: at a concentration of 3 wt.%, spherical particles with an average size of 5.20 μm are formed, whereas increasing the concentration to 5 wt.% leads to the formation of dendritic particles with an average size of 8.13 μm. Optimal MS conditions were identified as a rotational speed of 350 rpm, a processing duration of 8 hours, a ball-to-powder weight ratio of 20:1, and the addition of 3-5 wt.% stearic acid. These parameters ensure the production of powder compositions with high dispersity and uniformity, which are critical for subsequent consolidation and the development of high-strength materials. The findings can be utilized for the development of next-generation structural materials for nuclear energy applications.