Existing oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys are, besides Ni-based superalloy single crystals, the most creep-resistant materials. The creep resistance of the ODS alloys may, moreover, be significantly improved thanks to increasing the volume fraction of the nano oxides by more than one order of magnitude so that the oxides play a decisive role in strengthening. The present experimental study deals with two systems of such a high-volume fraction of nano oxides, namely, the Fe-11Al-1O and Fe-17Cr-7Al-4Y₂O₃ systems prepared by mechanical alloying and hot rolling leading to a rather stable fine-grained microstructure. This microstructure undergoes static recrystallization at high temperatures. The kinetics of static recrystallization and coarsening of nano oxides in recrystallized grains is determined for both systems. The difference in kinetics of coarsening of Al-based and Y-based oxides in the Fe-11Al-1O and Fe-17Cr-7Al-4Y₂O₃ systems is expressive and predetermines the Fe-17Cr-7Al-4Y₂O₃ system or similar ones to become the new leading system among creep- and oxidation-resistant materials for applications up to 1200 °C.

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the effect of aluminum content on the oxidation resistance of new-generation of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloy at 1200 °C. Three grades of the alloy of chemical composition Fe-15Cr-xAl-4Y₂O₃ with different Al contents x = 0.3 wt.%, 2.0 wt.% and 5.5 wt.% are prepared by mechanical alloying. The alloys are consolidated by high temperature rolling followed by heat treatment. To study the oxidation resistance the samples are isothermally aged in the air for 1 h, 4 h, 16 h and 64 h at 1200 °C. The oxidation kinetics, composition and formation mechanism of the oxide layers are analyzed. The weight gain of prepared steels is estimated. The kinetics of oxidation is studied on metallographic cross-sections of the exposed samples by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) analysis. The oxides on the surfaces are identified by X‑ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The Al content significantly enhances the oxidation resistance of the alloy. For a sufficiently high Al content in the alloy a compact oxide layer of α‑Al₂O₃ on the surface is formed, which significantly suppresses further oxidation process.