Microstructure Characteristics and Elevated Temperature Mechanical Properties of a B Containedβ-solidifiedγ-TiAl Alloy

The improved microstructure and enhanced elevated temperature mechanical properties of Ti-44Al-5Nb-(Mo,V,B)alloys were obtained by vacuum arc re-melting(VAR)and primary annealing heat treatment(HT)of 1260℃/6 h/Furnace cooling(FC).The phase transformation,microstructure evolution and tensile properties for as-cast and HTed alloys were investigated.Results indicate that three main phase transformation points are determined,T_(eut)=1164.3℃,T_(γsolv)=1268.3℃and T_(βtrans)=1382.8℃.There are coarse lamellar colonies(300μm in length)and neighbor reticular B2 andγgrain(3-5μm)in as-cast alloy,while lamellar colonies are markedly refined and multi-oriented(20-50μm)as well as the volume fraction and grain sizes of equiaxedγand B2 phases(about 15μm)significantly increase in as-HTed alloy.Phase transformations involvingα+γ→α+γ+β/B2 and discontinuousγcoarsening contribute to the above characteristics.Borides(1-3μm)act as nucleation sites forβ_(eutectic) and produce massiveβgrains with different orientations,thus effectively refining the lamellar colonies and forming homogeneous multi-phase microstructure.Tensile curves show both the alloys exhibit suitable performance at 800℃.As-cast alloy shows a higher ultimate tensile stress of 647 MPa,while a better total elongation of more than 41%is obtained for as-HTed alloy.The mechanical properties improvement is mainly attributed to fine,multi-oriented lamellar colonies,coordinated deformation of homogeneous multi-phase microstructure and borides within lamellar interface preventing crack propagation.

Microstructural evolution and dynamic recrystallization mechanisms of additively manufactured TiAl alloy with heterogeneous microstructure during hot compression

Microstructural evolution and dynamic recrystallization(DRX)mechanisms of a Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb(at.%)alloy prepared by selective electron beam melting(SEBM)during hot deformation at 1150℃and 0.1 s^(-1)were investigated by hot compression tests,optical microscope(OM),scanning electron microscope(SEM),electron back-scattered diffraction(EBSD)and transmission electron microscope(TEM).The results show that the initial microstructure of the as-SEBMed alloy exhibits layers of coarseγgrains and fineγ+α_(2)+(α_(2)/γ)lamellar mixture grains alternately along the building direction.During the early stage of hot deformation,deformation twins tend to form within the coarse grains,facilitating subsequent deformation,and a small number of DRX grains appear in the fine-grained regions.With the increase of strain,extensive DRX grains are formed through different DRX mechanisms in both coarse and fine-grained regions,involving discontinuous dynamic recrystallization mechanism(DDRX)in the fine-grained regions and a coexistence of DDRX and continuous dynamic recrystallization(CDRX)in the coarsegrained regions.

Microstructure and tensile properties of containerless near-isothermally forged TiAl alloys

Ti-47Al-2Nb-2Cr-0.4（W, Mo） （mole fraction, %） alloy ingot fabricated using vacuum consumable melting was containerless near-isothermally forged, and the high temperature forgeability, microstructure and tensile properties were investigated. The results show that the TiAl ingot exhibits good heat workability during containerless near-isothermally forging process, and there are not evident cracks on the surface of as-forged TiAl pancake with a total deformation degree of 60%. The microstructure of the TiAl ingot appears to be typical nearly-lamellar（NL）, comprising a great amount of lamellar colonies （α2＋γ） and a few equiaxed γ grains. After near-isothermally forging, the as-forged pancake shows primarily fine equiaxed γ grains with an average grain size of 20 μm and some broken lamellar pieces, and some bent lamellas still exist in the hard-deformation zone. Tensile tests at room temperature show that ultimate tensile strength increases from 433 MPa to 573 MPa after forging due to grain refinement effect.

Fracture characteristics of notched investment cast TiAl alloy through in situ SEM observation

TiAl alloys were produced by investment casting method combined with induction skull melting （ISM） technique. In situ scanning electron microscopy （SEM） was utilized to study the fracture characteristics and crack propagation of a notched investment cast TiAl specimens in tension under incremental loading conditions. The whole process of crack initiation, propagation and failure during tensile deformation was observed and characterized. The results show that the fracture mechanism was sensitive to not only the microcracks near the notched area but also lamellar orientation to loading axis. The high tensile stress leads to the new microcracks nucleate along lamellar interfaces of grains with favorable orientation when local stress intensity reaches the toughness threshold of the material. Thus, both plasticity and high tensile stress are required to cause notched TiAl failure.

Microstructure and high temperature oxidation resistance of Si-Y co-deposition coatings prepared on TiAl alloy by pack cementation process

In order to improve the high temperature oxidation resistance of TiAl alloy, Y modified silicide coatings were prepared by pack cementation process at 1030, 1080 and 1130 °C, respectively, for 5 h. The microstructures, phase constitutions and oxidation behavior of these coatings were studied. The results show that the coating prepared by co-depositing Si?Y at 1080 °C for 5 h has a multiple layer structure: a superficial zone consisting of Al-rich (Ti,Nb)5Si4 and (Ti,Nb)5Si3, an out layer consisting of (Ti,Nb)Si2, a middle layer consisting of (Ti,Nb)5Si4 and (Ti,Nb)5Si3, and aγ-TiAl inner layer. Co-deposition temperature imposes strong influences on the coating structure. The coating prepared by Si?Y co-depositing at 1080 °C for 5 h shows relatively good oxidation resistance at 1000 °C in air, and the oxidation rate constant of the coating is about two orders of magnitude lower than that of the bare TiAl alloy.

Effect of spark plasma sintering temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of melt-spun TiAl alloys

A TiAl alloy from pulverized rapidly solidified ribbons with the composition of Ti-46Al-2Cr-4Nb-0.3Y（mole fraction,%） was processed by spark plasma sintering（SPS）.The effects of sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties were studied.The results show that the microstructure and phase constitution vary with sintering temperature.Sintering the milled powders at 1200 ℃ produces fully dense compact.Higher sintering temperature does not improve the densification evidently.The dominant phases are γ and α2 in the bulk alloys sintered at 1200 ℃.With higher sintering temperature,the fraction of α2 phase decreases and the microstructure changes from equiaxed near γ grain to near lamellar structure,together with a slight coarsening.The bulk alloy sintered at 1260 ℃ with refined and homogeneous near lamellar structure reveals the best overall mechanical properties.The compressional fracture stress and compression ratio are 2984 MPa and 41.5%,respectively,at room temperature.The tensile fracture stress and ductility are 527.5 MPa and 5.9%,respectively,at 800 ℃.

Microstructure instability of fully lamellar TiAl alloy containing high content of Nb after long-term thermal cycling

Microstructure instabilities of the fully lamellar Ti-45Al-8.5Nb-（W,B,Y） alloy were investigated by SEM and TEM after long-term thermal cycling（500 and 1000 thermal cycles） at 900 °C. Two major categories of microstructure instability were produced in the alloy after the thermal cycling： 1） The discontinuous coarsening implies that grain boundary migrations are inclined to occur in the Al-segregation region after the long-term thermal cycling, especially after 1000 thermal cycles. Al-segregation can be reduced during the process of long-term thermal cycling as a result of element diffusion; 2） The α2 lamellae become thinner and are broken after 1000 thermal cycles caused by the dissolution of α2 lamellae through phase transformation of α2→γ. The γ grains nucleate within the α2 lamellae or（α2＋γ） lamellae in a random direction.

Effects of annealing on microstructure and mechanical properties of γ-TiAl alloy fabricated via laser melting deposition

The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the as-deposited γ-TiAl-based alloy specimen fabricated via laser melting deposition and as-annealed specimens at different temperatures were investigated.The results show that the microstructure of as-deposited specimen is composed of fineα2(Ti3Al)+γlamellae.With the increase of annealing temperature,the bulk γ m(TiAl)phase gradually changes from single γ phase toγphase+acicularα2 phase,finally small γ phase+lamellar α2+γ phase.Compared with the mechanical properties of as-depositedγ-TiAl alloy(tensile strength 469 MPa,elongation 1.1%),after annealing at 1260℃ for 30 min followed by furnace cooling(FC),the room-temperature tensile strength of the specimen is 543.4 MPa and the elongation is 3.7%,which are obviously improved.

Effects of additives on corrosion and wear resistance of micro-arc oxidation coatings on TiAl alloy

Ceramic coating was deposited on TiAl alloy substrate by micro-arc oxidation(MAO)in a silicate-aluminate electrolyte solution with additives including sodium citrate,graphite and sodium tungstate.The microstructures and compositions were analyzed by SEM,EDX and XRD.The corrosion and wear properties of the coatings were investigated by potentiodynamic polarization and ball-on-disc wear test,respectively.The results show that the MAO coatings consist of WO3,Ti2O3,graphite and Al2O3 besides Al2TiO5 and Al2SiO5.With additives in the electrolyte,the working voltage at the micro-arc discharge stage decreases,and the ceramic coating gets smoother and more compact.The corrosion current density of MAO coating is much lower than that of TiAl substrate.It can be reduced from 9.81×10-8A/cm 2to 3.02×10-10A/cm 2 .The MAO coatings composed of hard Al2O3,WO3 and Ti2O3 obviously improve the wear resistance of TiAl alloy.The wear rate is-3.27×10-7g/(N·m).

Improvement in collapsibility of ZrO2 ceramic mould for investment casting of TiAl alloys

Investment casting has been widely recognized as the best option in producing TiAl components with key benefits of accuracy,versatility and integrity.The collapsibility of ceramic moulds for investment casting is critical in the manufacturing process of TiAl components due to TiAl's intrinsic brittleness at room temperature.The aim of the present research is to provide a method for production of TiAl components by investment casting in ZrO2 ceramic moulds with improved collapsibility.Slurries prepared with high polymer additions were utilized during the preparation of ceramic moulds.The stress/strain curves obtained from green and baked ceramic moulds demonstrate that the green strength was increased with the application of high polymer,while baked strength decreased,thus the collapsibility of ceramic moulds was improved.It is suggested that this result is related to the burn-out of high polymer which left a lot of cavities.The experimental findings were also verified by the investment casting of "I"-shaped TiAl components.

Fabrication of micro-fine high Nb-containing TiAl alloyed powders by fluidized bed jet milling

A fluidized bed jet milling process was used to make micro-fine high Nb-containing TiAl alloyed powders from the chippings obtained by crushing the Ti-45Al-8.5Nb-(W,B,Y) ingot.The influences of classifier frequency on powder characteristics were investigated.The results show that the powders with controlled average particle size can be prepared on a large scale.The powders with different sizes are all dominated by γ with aminor amount of α2-Ti3Al.The particle size significantly decreases with the classifier frequency increasing.At a classifier frequency higher than 38 Hz,the average particle size of the ground powders is lower than 25μm.The powders are composed of two differ-ent sizes of particles:shaped particles and some clastic particles,and both particle sizes meet the log-normal distribution.With the classifier frequency increasing,the both sizes decrease;meanwhile,the proportion of the clastic particles gradually increases,and the size distribution span value of the ground powders increases correspondingly.

Influence of Mo content on microstructure and mechanical properties of β-containing TiAl alloy

The influence of Mo content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Ti?45Al?5Nb?xMo?0.3Y(x=0.6,0.8,1.0,1.2)alloys was studied using small ingots produced by non-consumable electrode argon arc melting.The results show that smallquantities ofβphase are distributed alongγ/α2lamellar colony boundaries as discontinuous network in the TiAl alloys owing to thesegregation of Mo element.Theγphase forms in the interdentritic microsegregation area when the Mo addition exceeds0.8%.Theβandγphases can be eliminated effectively by subsequent homogenization heat treatment at the temperature above Tα.The evolutionof the strength,microhardness and ductility at different Mo contents under as-cast and as-homogenization treated conditions wasanalyzed,indicating that excessive Mo addition is prone to cause the microsegregation,thus decreasing the strength andmicrohardness obviously,which can be improved effectively by subsequent homogenization heat treatment.

Study on structural,mechanical and thermodynamic properties of TiAl alloy under high pressure based on first-principles

The effect of pressure on structural, mechanical properties as well as the temperature dependence of thermodynamic properties of TiAl alloy are investigated by implementing first-principles calculations. The results show that the volume decrea-ses with the pressure increasing. We calculated the CtJ at various pressures and all the results satisfy mechanical stability crite-ria, thus the TiAl alloy is mechanically stable. The elastic constants？ bulk modulus and shear modulus calculated are well in a-greement with the calculated values at zero the pressure. The bulk modulus and shear modulus increase with the pressure in-creasing, which reflects the deformation resistance, and accordingly, deformation resistance can be strengthened with the in-crease of pressure. The brittle nature of TiAl alloy turns to ductile nature in 10 - 20 GPa . The Debye temperature, linear ther-mal expansion and heat capacity are calculated using the quasi-harmonic Debye model under the pressure ranging from 0 to 50 GPa and the temperature ranging from 0 to 1 000 K, which are useful to investigate the effect of temperature and pressure on thermodynamic parameters. Finally, electronic structure is calculated at various pressures,and it can be found that the peak intensity decreases with increasing pressure and the the strength of d-d orbital of Ti is weakened but the ductility is enhanced.

Quantitative characterization of β-solidifying γ-TiAl alloy with duplex structure

For precise plastic deformation,microstructure control is essential especially for β-solidifying γ-TiAl alloy with duplex structure.Based on stereology,the microstructure of isothermally compressed γ-TiAl alloy was divided into β_(0) grains,remnant α_(2)/γ lamellar colonies,α_(2) and γ grains.The results show that the volume fraction of β_(0) grains slightly increases in the isothermally compressed γ-TiAl alloy with the increase of height reduction.Meanwhile,the volume fractions of remnant α_(2)/γ lamellar colonies and α_(2) grains decrease.However,the volume fraction of γ grains increases from 64.39% to 78.47%.According to the quantitative results,the α→γ phase transformation was investigated in-depth,and it is found that isothermal compression accelerates the α→γ phase transformation.The first α→γ phase transformation is similar to ledge-controlled transformation,through which remnant α_(2)/γ lamellar colonies finally convert intoγgrains in isothermal compression.The second is achieved by α/γ phase interface immigration.

Improving hot corrosion resistance of aluminized TiAl alloy by anodization and pre-oxidation

To shield TiAl alloy from hot corrosion attack,a compact protective coating was fabricated by the combination of aluminizing,anodization and pre-oxidation.The hot corrosion behavior of the coated-TiAl specimen was investigated in the mixture salt consisting of 75 wt.%Na2SO4 and 25 wt.%NaCl at 700°C.Results indicated that the anodization and pre-oxidation were beneficial to the generation of Al2O3 layer,which could act as a diffusion barrier to prevent the molten salts and oxygen from diffusing into the alloy during exposure to a hot corrosion environment while the aluminizing coating could provide sufficient aluminum source to support the continuous formation of Al2O3 layer.Moreover,the internal stress of the coating was reduced due to the formation of a gradient coating consisting of TiAl3 and TiAl2.

Effects of Ru content on phase transformation and compression property of cast TiAl alloys

Ruthenium(Ru)is a promising element to heighten the comprehensive mechanical properties of TiAl alloys.In the present study,the phase transformation during the cooling of Ti-47Al-2Cr-2Nb-xRu(x=0,0.1,0.5,1.0,at.%)alloys was investigated.The results show that Ru tends to segregate in the interdendritic region during solidification,and therefore,refines the as-cast microstructure of the alloys.As aβ-stabilizer,Ru does not induce a novel solidification reaction but maintains the peritectic reaction of L+β→α.An excessive Ru content would cause the formation of(γ+τ1+B2)and(α+γ+τ1+B2)phase regions below 1,250°C.The precipitation ofτ1-containing mixture is attributed to the Ru-segregation,which inhibits the reaction ofα→γand facilitates the formation of B2 phase.The discontinuous coarsening ofγphase and blockτ1 phase formed alternately in a manner of analogous eutectoid decomposition within B2 phase.In addition,the effect of Ru content on compression property of the alloys was studied.The yield strength increases up to 427 MPa at 800°C with the addition of 1.0at.%Ru,which is mainly due to the solution strengthening effect of Ru.

A high-Nb TiAl alloy with highly refined microstructure and excellent mechanical properties fabricated by electromagnetic continuous casting

In the present research, microstructure refinement of a high-Nb TiAl alloy （Ti-48Al-8Nb-0.15B） was realized by means of the electromagnetic continuous casting （EMCC） technique. The microstructure of an ingot obtained by EMCC was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. As compared with the raw as-cast alloy, the obtained EMCC alloy presented a much finer microstructure with lamellar colonies with a mean size of about 50-70 μm because the electromagnetic stirring broke initial dendrites and enhanced the heterogeneous nucleation. As the grains were refined, the properties of the TiAl alloy were improved significantly. This implies that the EMCC technique could offer the possibility of application for high-Nb TiAl alloys with a refined microstructure and excellent properties to be used as a structural material.

FRACTURE MECHANISM AND MICROMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF POLYSYNTHETICALLY TWINNED CRYSTALS OF γTiAl ALLOYS

The fracture behavior and mechanism of PST crystals of a Ti 49%(mole fraction)Al alloy have been studied by using in situ straining and micromechanical calculation. The three dimensional micromechanical model representing the structure of PST crystal has been built, and the stress distribution ahead of the sharp and blunt crack tips either parallel to lamellar interface or perpendicular to the lamellae has been calculated by using finite element method based on linear elasticity of PST crystals. The experimental results show that the fracture behaviors and mechanisms are strongly dependent on the angle of loading axis to the lamellae. The calculation indicates that nucleation and propagation of microcrack along the interfaces are controlled by the normal stress and translamellar microcrack is controlled by shear stress ahead of crack tip.

Effect of trace tungsten on the microstructure of TiAl alloys containing Nb and B

New TiAl alloys, containing 45 at.% A1, 7 at.% Nb, x at.% W, and 0.15 at.% B （x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.7） were prepared by arc melting and drop casting consequently. Using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and electron superprobe technologies, the effects of tungsten on the microstructural evolution of the TiA1 alloys, including the colony size and lamellar spacing, were analyzed. It was found that cellular structures and dendrites were formed in the as-cast TiA1 alloys, and heavy metals, such as niobium and tungsten, tend to segregate strongly at the interface of the cellular structures and dendrites. Trace tungsten can effectively impede the grain growth and narrow the interlamellar spacing. 0.4 at.% tungsten is more effective in refuting the microstructure of the TiAI alloys.

Microstructure and hot corrosion resistance of Si-Al-Y coated TiAl alloy

In order to obtain a high-performance surface on TiAl alloy that can meet the requirements in hot corrosion environment,Si-Al-Y coatings were fabricated by pack cementation process at 1050℃for 4 h.Corrosion behaviors of the TiAl alloy with and without Si-Al-Y coatings are compared to illustrate the factors and corresponding mechanism in molten salt environment of 25 wt%K2SO4 and 75 wt%Na2SO4 at 900°C.The obtained Si-Al-Y coating was mainly composed of a TiSi2 outer layer,a(Ti,X)5Si4 and(Ti,X)5Si3(X represents Nb or Cr element)middle layer,a TiAl2 inner layer and a Al-rich inter-diffusion zone.The inter-phase selective corrosion containing corrosion pits extending alongα2 phase from lamellar interfaces in hot corrosion tested TiAl alloy was observed.However,by being coated with Si-Al-Y coating,the hot corrosion performance of TiAl alloy was improved remarkably.