Phase transformation in titanium alloys:A review

Due to a series of exceptional properties,titanium and titanium alloys have received extensive attention in recent years.Different from other alloy systems,there are two allotropes and a sequence of metastable phases in titanium alloys.By summarizing the recent investigations,the phase transformation processes corresponding to the common phases and also some less reported phases are reviewed.For the phase transformation only involvingαandβphases,it can be divided intoβ→αtransformation and a reverse transformation.The former one has been demonstrated from the orientation relationship betweenαandβphases and the regulation ofαmorphology.For the latter transformation,the role of the stress has been discussed.In terms of the metastable phases,the mechanisms of phase formation and their effects on microstructure and mechanical properties have been discussed.Finally,some suggestions about the development of titanium alloys have been proposed.

Effect of forging on the microstructure and texture of a high Nb containing γ-TiAl alloy

The effect of forging on the microstructure and texture evolution of a high Nb containing Ti-45Al-7Nb-0.3W(at.%)alloy was investigated by X-ray diffractometer(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The results show that the as-cast alloy is mainly composed of α_(2)/γ lamellar colonies with a mean size of 70μm,but the hot-forged pancake displays a near duplex microstructure(DP).Kinking and bending of lamellar colonies,deformation twinning and dynamic recrystallization(DRX)occur during hot forging.Meanwhile,dense dislocations in theβphase after forging suggest that the high-temperature β phase with a disordered structure is favorable for improving the hot-workability of the alloy.Unlike the common TiAl casting texture,the solidification process of the investigated as-cast alloy with high Nb content is completely via the β phase region,resulting in the formation of a<110>γ fiber texture where the<110>γ aligns parallel to the heat-flow direction.In comparison,the relatively strong<001>and weak<302>texture components in the as-forged alloy are attributed to the deformation twinning.After annealing,static recrystallization occurs at the twin boundary and intersections,which weakens the deformation texture.

Microstructure of cast γ-TiAl based alloy solidified from β phase region

The microstructures and phase transformation of Ti-43Al-4Nb alloy in as-cast and heat-treated states were investigated by using optical microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy as well as differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that a fine microstructure of the as-cast alloy can be obtained by solidifying through the β phase. γ grains can nucleate directly from the β phase. The coexistence of β phase and γ phase along primary α grain boundaries contributes to the decrease in the grain size of the as-cast alloy. The phase transformation sequence during solidification of the Ti-43Al-4Nb alloy is suggested as L→L＋β→β→α＋β→α＋βr→α＋γ＋βr→lamellae（α2＋γ）＋γ＋βr. The microstructure of the alloy after heat treatment at 1 250 ℃ for 16 h exhibits a certain coarsening compared with that of the as-cast state. The remnant β phase can be removed by the heat treatment process due to the diffusion of Nb and the non-equilibrium state of β phase.

Microstructure and phase precipitate behavior of Inconel 740H during aging

The microstructure and phase precipitate behavior and their effects on the room temperature hardness and impact toughness of Inconel 740H aged at 750 ℃ for 10000 h were investigated by SEM, TEM and mechanical analysis. The as-received alloy shows a low hardness value of HB 168 and a highest toughness value of 96 J. After an aging treatment at 800 ℃ for 16 h and cooled in air （standard heat-treated condition）, fine γ′ phase particles precipitate within the grains and small carbide particles are located at the grain boundaries. The hardness increases to HB 304 and the impact toughness decreases to 15 J after standard heat treatment. A maximum hardness value of HB 331 is achieved for the alloy aged at 750 ℃ for 300 h. With increasing the aging time from 300 to 10000 h, a decrease of the hardness and toughness is observed along with an enhanced quantity of M23C6 particles and the coarsening of γ′ phase.

Microstructure of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr-0.5Er alloy under as-cast and homogenization conditions

The billets of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr and Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr-0.5Er alloys were prepared by semi-continuous direct chill casting （DCC）.The effects of trace Er on microstructure of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy under as-cast and homogenization conditions were studied.The results show that the grain morphology is large dendritic structure and the grain size increases obviously by the addition of 0.5% Er.Moreover,most of Er element in the alloy segregates at grain boundary during solidification,resulting in ternary Al8Cu4Er phase.After homogenization,most of the MgZn2 phase at grain boundary has dissolved back to Al matrix in the two alloys.In the Er-containing alloy,the dissolution temperature of Al8Cu4Er phase is about 575 °C.Therefore,the homogenization treatment cannot eliminate Al8Cu4Er phase validity.

Microstructural evolution of AZ91 magnesium alloy during extrusion and heat treatment

Microstructural evolution of AZ91 magnesium alloy was investigated during homogenizing annealing treatment, hot extrusion and ageing treatment, respectively. The results exhibited that both the divorced eutectic β-Mg17Al12 and the precipitated β-Mg17Al12 phases appeared in the as-cast alloy. The β-Mg17Al12 phase dissolved into α-Mg matrix mostly and the structure kept fine after the optimized homogenization treatment at 380 °C for 15 h. Dynamic recrystallization and consequent grain refinement occurred during extrusion. The banded β-Mg17Al12 precipitates paralleled to the extrusion direction were observed after ageing treatment. The banded precipitation should be attributed to the solidification segregation which was elongated during the subsequent extrusion. Furthermore, the effects of temperature, holding time of homogenization and ageing treatment, and extrusion processing parameters on the microstructural evolution of AZ91 alloy were also discussed in details according to the experimental results.

Morphology and crystallography of β precipitate phase in Mg-Gd-Y-Nd-Zr alloy

Morphology and crystal structure of β precipitate phase in Mg-7Gd-5Y-1Nd-0.5Zr (mass fraction, %) alloy were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Compositions were determined for β phase using thin foil energy dispersive spectroscopy. Precipitation at 400 ℃ involves formation of platelet and block-shaped β phase. The orientation relationship is and between β precipitate phase and α-Mg matrix with habit planes parallel to , and a composition of Mg5(Y0.4Gd0.4Nd0.2) is suggested for the β phase in Mg-7Gd-5Y-1Nd-0.5Zr alloy.

Microstructural stability of long term aging treated Ti-22Al-26Nb-1Zr orthorhombic titanium aluminide

The microstructure development of lamellar structure of an orthorhombic Ti2AlNb-based Ti？22Al？26Nb？1Zr alloy, includingB2 decomposition and spheroidization ofO phase, was investigated. The results show that the lamellar structure is fabricated by heating the samples in the singleB2 phase field and cooling slowly in the furnace. Aging treatments are conducted in the （O＋B2） phases field by air cooling. After aging at 700 °C for a short time within 100 h, there is no significant change of microstructures, whereas the coarsening of lamellae is observed in the long-term aged microstructure. Ti？22Al？26Nb？1Zr alloy exhibits microstructural instability including the severe dissolution ofB2 lamella, discontinuous precipitation and spheroidization of O phase during the long term aging process at 700 °C up to 800 h. In addition, a pronounced formation of branch-shapedO phase lamella is observed for the alloy aged over 100 h.

Effect of bonding parameters on microstructures and properties during TLP bonding of Ni-based super alloy

Ni-based alloy was transient liquid phase bonded using a BNi-2 interlayer. The effect of bonding parameters on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the joints was investigated. With the increase of bonding temperature or time, the number of Ni-rich and Cr-rich borides and the grain size of precipitation zone decrease. Higher bonding temperature or longer bonding time is beneficial to the diffusion of melting point depressant elements （B and Si） from the PZ to the base metal and atomic interdiffusion between the base metal and the joint. The chemical composition and microstructure of the joints bonded at 1170 ℃ for 24 h are comparable to the base metal. The shear test results show that both the room and elevated temperature shear-strengths of the joints increase with increasing bonding time. However, the effect of bonding time on elevated temperature tensile-shear strength is greater than on room temperature tensile-shear strength.

Effects of yttrium and strontium additions on as-cast microstructure of Mg-14Li-1Al alloys

Mg-14Li-1Al （LA141）, LA141-0.3Y, LA141-0.3Sr, and LA141-0.3Y-0.3Sr alloys were prepared in an induction furnace in the argon atmosphere. The microstructures of these alloys were investigated through scanning electron microscope （SEM）, X-ray diffractometer （XRD） and energy dispersive spectrometer （EDS）. The results show that yttrium and/or strontium additions produce a strong grain refining effect in LA141 alloy. The mean grain sizes of the alloys with addition of Y and/or Sr are reduced remarkably from 600 to 500, 260, 230 μm, respectively. Al 2 Y, Al 4 Sr and Mg 17 Sr 2 phases with different morphologies are verified and exist inside the grain or at the grain boundaries, thus possibly act as heterogeneous nucleation sites and pin up grain boundaries, which restrain the grain growth.

Effect of Zn addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-2Er alloy

The effect of Zn addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg-2Er alloy was investigated by X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscope （SEM）. The results show that the alloys with 1%and 2%Zn （mass fraction） are composed of the W-phase and theα-Mg matrix. Meanwhile, the addition of 4%-10%Zn results in the formation of the I-phase, the W-phase and theα-Mg matrix. When the addition of Zn reaches 12%, the W-phase disappears and the phase constituents of the alloys mainly include the I-phase and the Mg4Zn7 phase besides theα-Mg solid solution. The alloy containing 6%Zn has better mechanical properties, of which the ultimate tensile strength （UTS） and the yield tensile strength （YTS） are about 224 MPa and 134 MPa, respectively, companying an elongation of 10.4%.

Effects of deep cryogenic treatment on microstructure and properties of WC-11Co cemented carbides with various carbon contents

The effects of deep cryogenic treatment on the microstructure and properties of WC-11 Co cemented carbides with various carbon contents were investigated.The results show that after deep cryogenic treatment,WC grains are refined into triangular prism with sound edges via the process of spheroidization,but WC grain size has no evident change compared with that of untreated alloys.The phase transformation of Co phase from α-Co（FCC） to ε-Co（HCP） is observed in the cryogenically treated alloys,which is attributed to the decrease of W solubility in the binder（Co）.Deep cryogenic treatment enhances the hardness and bending strength of the alloys,while it has no significant effects on the density and cobalt magnetic performance.

Morphology and chemical composition of γ/γ' phases in Re-containing Ni-based single crystal superalloy during two-step aging

The γ/γ＇ microstructure of a Re-containing Ni-based single crystal super alloy after a two-step aging was studied using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）,transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and scanning transmission electron microscopy （STEM）.The crystals were grown by the floating zone （FZ） method.Both cuboidal and spherical γ＇ precipitates were formed after a two-step aging.The size of the cuboidal γ＇ phases first increased and then decreased with the extension of the second-step aging time.Re,Co and Cr strongly concentrated in the γ phase whereas Ni and Al enriched in the γ＇ phase.Thermodynamic calculation by JMatPro was performed to explain the experimental observations.

Compressive anisotropy of extruded Mg-Dy-Zn alloy sheet

Compressive anisotropy of extruded Mg-2Dy-0.5Zn （mole fraction, %） alloy sheet was investigated. The alloy sheet was mainly composed ofα-Mg, （Mg, Zn）xDy phase and a large number of long period stacking ordered （LPSO） phases distributed along the extrusion direction. The compressive experimental results show that the alloy sheet exhibits an obvious compressive anisotropy. The compressive strength of the specimen in the extrusion direction （ED） is higher than those of the specimens in the transverse direction （TD） and 45° inclined to the extrusion direction. The compressive yield strength （CYS）, ultimate compressive strength （UCS） and compressive strain of the specimen in the ED are 274.65 MPa, 518.94 MPa and 12.93%, respectively. The compressive anisotropy is mainly attributed to the distribution of LPSO phase and formation of〈10 10〉//ED fiber texture in the deformed grains.

Effects of Cr content on microstructure and mechanical properties of single crystal superalloy

Two experimental single crystal superalloys with 2% Cr and 4% Cr (mass fraction) were cast in a directionally solidified furnace, while other alloying element contents were kept unchanged. The effects of Cr content on the microstructure, phase stability, tensile properties at 1100 °C and stress rupture properties at 1070 °C and 160 MPa of the single crystal superalloy were investigated. The results show that the size ofγ′ phase particles become small and uniform, and the cubic shape turns a little regular with the increase of Cr content. Theγ′ directional coarsening and rafting were observed in the 2% Cr and 4% Cr alloys after long term aging (LTA) at 1100 °C. The rafting rate ofγ′ phase increased with increasing Cr content. Needle-shaped topologically close packed (TCP) phases precipitated and grew along fixed direction in both alloys. The precipitating rate and volume fraction of TCP phases significantly increased with the increase of Cr content. The tensile property of the alloy increased and the stress rupture properties of the alloy decreased with the increase of Cr content at high temperature. The increase of Cr content increased the partition ratio of TCP forming elements, Re, W, and Mo, and the saturation degrees of these elements inγ phases increased. Therefore, the high temperature phase stability of the alloy decreased with the increase of Cr content.

Creep properties and microstructure evolution of nickel-based single crystal superalloy at different conditions

The creep properties of nickel-based single crystal superalloy with [001] orientation was investigated at different test conditions. The microstructure evolution of γ′ phase, TCP phase and dislocation characteristic after creep rupture was studied by SEM and TEM. The results show that the alloy has excellent creep properties. Two different types of creep behavior can be shown in the creep curves. The primary creep is characterized by the high amplitude at test conditions of (760 °C, 600 MPa) and (850 °C, 550 MPa) and the primary creep strain is limited at (980 °C, 250 MPa), (1100 °C, 140 MPa) and (1120 °C, 120 MPa). A little change ofγ′precipitate morphology occurs at (760 °C, 600 MPa). The lateral merging of the γ′ precipitate has already begun at (850 °C, 550 MPa). Theγphase is surrounded by theγ′phase at (980 °C, 250 MPa). Theγphase is no longer continuous tested at (1070 °C, 140 MPa). At (1100 °C, 120 MPa), the thickness ofγphase continues to increase. No TCP phase precipitates in the specimens at (760 °C, 600 MPa), (850 °C, 550 MPa) and (980 °C, 250 MPa). Needle shaped TCP phase precipitates in the specimens tested at (1070 °C, 140 MPa) and (1100 °C, 120 MPa). The dislocation shear mechanism including stacking fault formation is operative at lower temperature and high stress. The dislocation by-passing mechanism occurs to form networks atγ/γ′interface under the condition of high temperature and lower stress.

Microstructure evolution and properties of Cu-20Ni-20Mn alloy during aging process

The microstructure evolution and phase transformation of Cu-20Ni-20Mn（mass fraction,%） alloy at 450 °C were investigated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy（TEM）.The variations of tensile strength,yield strength and hardness of this alloy during aging process were also analyzed.The results show that no significant variations of hardness and strength in the initial stage of aging,with a long incubation period,are observed at 450 °C.Subsequently,the ordered face-centered tetragonal（FCT） Ni Mn phase nucleates and grows up with prolonging the aging time.The hardness and tensile strength of the alloy increase up to their maximum values with increasing the ordered particle size,i.e.,the strength of the alloy reaches 942 MPa after being aged at 450°C for 40h.The main cause of the age-hardening is considered to be precipitation strengthening due to the ordered FCT-Ni Mn particles.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg,Ag and Zn multi-microalloyed Al-(3.2-3.8)Cu-(1.0-1.4)Li alloys

To develop super-high strength Al-Li alloy,the microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg,Ag and Zn microalloyed Al-（3.2-3.8）Cu-（1.0-1.4）Li alloys（mass fraction） with T8 temper were studied.The results showed that 1%of lower Li content restricted the strengthening effect of increasing Cu content,while simultaneous increase in Cu and Li contents contributed effectively to the enhancement of strength.The alloys were mainly strengthened by plenty of fine and well dispersed TI（Al2CuLi）precipitates.There were also some minor precipitates of θ＇（Al2Cu） and δ＇（Al3Li）,which became less in number density,even disappeared during the aging process.Meanwhile,higher Li content favored the formation θ＇ and δ＇ and a small amount of S＂（Al2CuMg） phases.In addition,strengthening effect and microstructure variation were analyzed through total non-solution mole fraction of Cu and Li and their mole ratio.To obtain Al-Li alloy with super-high strength,the total mole fractions of Cu and Li should be increased,and their mole ratios should also be kept at a certain high level.

Microstructure and properties of laser micro welded joint of TiNi shape memory alloy

Butt welding of 0.2 mm-thick TiNi shape memory alloy sheet （SMA） was carried out using impulse laser, and tensile strength, fracture morphology, microstructure and phase change behaviour of welded joint were studied. The results show that using impulse laser can realize good butt welding of TiNi SMA sheet, tensile strength of welded joint is 683 MPa, which achieves 97% of that of cold rolled base metal, and the fracture mode of welded joint is ductile type as well as base metal. The welded joint can be divided into four zones according to grain size and microstructure. The microstructures of welded seam center zone are fine equiaxed crystals and the microstructures of both lower surface and upper surface edge zones are columnar crystals. When welded joint is vacuum annealed after welding, the phase transformation process is basically similar to the annealed base metal.

Microstructure and defect of titanium alloy electron beam deep penetration welded joint

The microstructure, phase composition and cold shut defect of thick titanium alloy electron beam welded joint were studied. The results showed that the microstructure of weld zone was composed of α′ phase; the heat affected zone was divided into fine-grained zone and coarse-grained zone, the microstructure of fine-grained zone was primary α phase ＋ β phase ＋ equiaxed α phase, and the microstructure of coarse-grained zone was primary α phase ＋ acicular α′ phase; the microstructure of base metal zone basically consisted of primary α phase, and a small amount of residual β phase sprinkled. The forming. reason of cold shut was analyzed, and the precaution of cold shut was proposed.