Properties of dispersion-strengthened chromium - 4-volume-percent-thoria alloys produced by ball milling in hydrogen iodide

The effects of processing variables on the tensile properties and ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) of Cr + 4 vol. %ThO2 alloys and of pure Cr produced by ball milling in hydrogen iodide were investigated. Hot rolled Cr + ThO2 was stronger than either hot pressed Cr + ThO2 or pure Cr at temperatures up to 1537 C. Hot pressed Cr + ThO2 had a DBTT of 501 C as compared with minus 8 to 24 C for the hot rolled Cr + ThO2 and with 139 C for pure Cr. It is postulated that the dispersoid in the hot rolled alloys lowers the DBTT by inhibiting recovery and recrystallization of the strained structure.