Melting energy exemplified by an arc (24) is delivered to a metal alloy material (22, 23), forming a melt pool (26). A metal oxide material (34) is delivered (33) to the melt pool and dispersed therein. The melting energy and oxide deliveries are controlled (44) to melt the alloy material, but not to melt at least most of the metal oxide material. The deliveries may be controlled so that the melting energy does not intercept the metal oxide delivery. The melting energy may be controlled to create a temperature of the melt pool that does not reach the melting point of the metal oxide. Deliveries of the melting energy and the oxide may alternate so they do not overlap in time. A cold metal transfer apparatus (22) and process (18, 19, 20) may be used for example in combination with an oxide particle pulse delivery device (42, 46).