Inhomogeneous deformation substructure and its effect on the recrystallization behavior of yttria dispersion-strengthened tungsten plate

•The yttria dispersion strengthened tungsten plate presents a gradient deformation substructure along the thickness direction.•More recrystallized nuclei are preferentially formed in the center layer than in the surface layer of the W-2 vol% Y2O3 plate during warm-rolling.•Nuclei preferentially formed in the center layer of the W-2 vol% Y2O3 plate can grow quickly without incubation time during subsequent high-temperature annealing.