Enhanced oxidation resistance of high-manganese austenitic steels through mechanical alloying and oxide-dispersion strengthening

• Mechanical alloying enhances oxidation resistance of Fe-Mn-Al-Si ODS steels. • Y 2 O 3 improves long-term oxidation resistance through interface-mediated Si control. • AlN contamination negligibly affects oxidation resistance, converting to Al 2 O 3 . High-Mn austenitic steels possess attractive properties for advanced structural application; however, their oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures is restricted by the detrimental effects of Mn on the formation of protective scales. This study presents materials combining mechanical alloying (MA) and oxide-dispersion strengthening using Y 2 O 3 to enhance the high-temperature (HT) oxidation resistance of Fe–Mn–Al–Si austenitic steels. Through investigation of oxidation behavior at 600 °C in air, we demonstrate that mechanically alloyed fine-grained microstructures improve oxidation resistance by facilitating continuous internal Al 2 O 3 scale formation. Y 2 O 3 addition promotes the development of protective aluminosilicate-modified scales, leveraging high-density interfaces from dispersed oxides to significantly enhance long-term performance. This processing approach shows remarkable robustness; AlN contamination resulting from MA is oxidized to stable Al 2 O 3 without compromising the overall oxidation resistance. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of MA and oxide dispersion strengthening in overcoming the oxidation challenges inherent in high-Mn austenitic steels, highlighting their potential for HT structural applications.