Abstract

NiAl based ODS (Oxide Dispersion Strengthened) intermetallic alloys have been produced by mechanical alloying (MA) process and consolidated by hot extrusion. Subsequent thermomechanical treatments have been applied to induce secondary recrystallization in an attempt to improve creep resistance in this material. The creep behavior of secondary recrystallized MA NiAl has been investigated and compared with those of as-extruded condition. Minimum creep rate were shown to be approximately two orders of magnitude lower than that in as-extruded condition. The improvement in creep resistance is believed due to the grain coarsening, restricting of dispersoid coarsening as well as increase in grain aspect ratio. Creep threshold stress behavior, below which no measurable creep rate can be detected, has been discussed on the basis of particle-dislocation interaction theory. The threshold stress becomes negligible after secondary recrystallization in MA NiAl, presumably due to dispersoid coarsening and a decrease in grain boundary area during secondary recrystallization.