Method of making oxide dispersion strengthened powder

Claim 1

A process for preparing metal having a substantially uniform dispersion of hard filler particles, which comprises the steps of: admixing particles of a first metallic component with oxide particles having a negative free energy of formation at 1000° C. of at least as great as that of aluminum oxide, and with a dissimilar second metallic component, said first metallic component being from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, iron and alloys thereof, said first metallic component having an average particle size of less than 10 microns, said oxide particles having an average particle size of less than 0.1 micron; said second metallic component having an average particle size of less than 10 microns; and milling said powders in a high energy mill for a period of time sufficient to produce powder characterized by a substantially uniform dispersion of hard filler particles, said milled powder being additionally characterized by heterogeneous agglomerations of at least two metallic components, said metallic components being distinguishable through electron microscopy, said milling being accomplished in a period of less than 4 hours.