Preparation of W–15 wt%Ti prealloyed powders

W–15 wt%Ti prealloyed powders were prepared by high-energy milling W and TiH₂ powders, and the prealloyed powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The size of W and TiH₂ grains was estimated by Williamson–Hall formula from width of XRD peaks. The results show that the grain size decreases with increasing milling time, while the lattice parameter increases. After milling for 40 h, nanocrystalline β-W_xTi_1−x solid solution with the form of thin laminar exists in the W–TiH₂ prealloyed powders.     

Microstructure and dry sliding wear resistance of laser clad TiC reinforced Ti–Ni–Si intermetallic composite coating

Wear resistant TiC reinforced Ti–Ni–Si intermetallic composite coating with a microstructure consisting of TiC uniformly distributed in Ti₂Ni₃Si–NiTi–Ti₂Ni multi-phase intermetallic matrix was fabricated on a substrate of TA15 titanium alloy by the laser cladding process using TiC/Ti–Ni–Si alloy powders as the precursor materials. Microstructure of the coating was characterized by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Dry sliding wear resistance of the laser clad TiC reinforced Ti–Ni–Si intermetallic composite coating was evaluated at room temperature. Results indicated that the TiC/(Ti₂Ni₃Si–NiTi–Ti₂Ni) intermetallic composite coating exhibited excellent abrasive and adhesive wear resistance.     

Preparation of Ti+Ti6Si2B powders by high-energy ball milling and subsequent heat treatment

The present work reports on the preparation of two-phase Ti_SS+Ti₆Si₂B alloys by high-energy milling and subsequent heat treatment. The milled and heat-treated products were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and microanalysis via WDS. Results indicated the dissolution of silicon and boron atoms into the Ti lattice to form supersaturated solid solutions during the ball milling of Ti–10Si–5B and Ti–20Si–10B powders. TiB₂ precipitates were formed during ball milling, and the metastable structures were decomposed due to the released heat from its exothermic formation. After heat treatment at 1100 °C for 4 h, the equilibrium microstructures of the Ti–10Si–5B and Ti–20Si–10B alloys indicated the majority presence of the Ti and Ti₆Si₂B phases. TiB precipitates were found in Ti–10Si–5B and Ti–20Si–10B powders after heat treatment at 1200 °C for 16 h, indicating that the composition was moved from two-phase Ti+Ti₆Si₂B region to the three-phase Ti+Ti₆Si₂B+TiB field.     

Properties of mechanically alloyed P/M composites of Al–Mg2Si–oxide systems

With a purpose of obtaining light-weight materials of high strength, mixture of aluminum powder and Mg₂Si powder at the composition of Al–20mass%Mg₂Si₂ was mechanically alloyed with addition of oxide (Cr₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, MnO₂) powders. Mechanical alloying was conducted by using an Attritor-type ball mill under argon atmosphere. The mechanically alloyed powders were consolidated to the P/M materials by vacuum hot pressing and hot extrusion. Solid-state reactions during mechanical alloying and subsequent thermomechanical processing were studied. Their structures and mechanical properties were examined and compared with hyper-eutectic Al–Si based P/M materials. All added oxides were decomposed and aluminide compounds were formed during heating of the extruded P/M materials. Mg₂Si was only partially decomposed after heating P/M materials. All the P/M materials of Al–Mg₂Si–oxide showed high compressive strength above 900 MPa. Among them, the highest strength of 1090 MPa was obtained for Al–Mg₂Si–Fe₂O₃. Even the P/M material of Al–Mg₂Si without oxide addition showed compressive strength of 795 MPa. The Al–Mg₂Si based P/M materials showed higher compressive strength and higher ductility than hyper-eutectic Al–Si based P/M materials.     

Mechanical milling of Ti–Ni–Si filler metal for brazing TiAl intermetallics

The Ti–Ni–Si filler metal was manufactured by mechanical milling of TiH₂, Ni and Si powder mixture. The microstructure of the filler metal and TiAl brazed joint was analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The effect of milling time on the brazing powder was investigated. It was found that NiSi phase formed when the milling time exceeded 120 min. The typical microstructure of the TiAl brazed joint using Ti–Ni–Si filler metal was TiAl/Ti₃Al/TiAlNi₂/Ti₃Al + Ti₅Si₃/TiAlNi₂/Ti₃Al/TiAl. The effect of Si on the microstructure was investigated and the result suggested that Si addition resulted in the aggregation of Ti and formation of Ti₃Al phase in the middle of joint. The optimal parameters were brazing temperature of 1140 °C and holding time of 30 min. The fracture was brittle and propagated between the TiAlNi₂ layer and Ti₃Al + Ti₅Si₃ layer.     

Synthesis process of Mg–Ti BCC alloys by means of ball milling

The synthesis process of Mg–Ti alloys with a BCC (body centered cubic) structure by means of ball milling was studied by X-ray diffraction and various microscopic techniques. The morphology and crystal structure of Mg–Ti alloys changed with increase of milling time. During ball milling of Mg and Ti powders in molar ratio of 1:1, firstly, plate-like particles stuck on the surface of the milling pot and balls. After these plate-like particles fell off from the surface of the milling pot and balls, spherical particles with the mean diameter of 1 mm, in which concentric layers of Mg and Ti were disposed, were formed. These spherical particles were crushed into spherical particles with the diameter of around 10 μm by introduction of cracks along the boundaries between Mg and Ti layers. Finally, the Mg₅₀Ti₅₀ BCC phase with the lattice parameter of a = 0.342(1) nm and the grain size of 3 nm was formed. During milling of Mg and Ti to synthesize the BCC alloy, Mg and Ti were deformed mainly by the basal plane slip and the twinning deformation, respectively. Ti acted as abrasives for Mg which had stuck on the surface of the milling pot and balls. The BCC phase was found after Mg dissolved in Ti.     

Effects of ball milling time on the synthesis and consolidation of nanostructured WC–Co composites

The effects of ball milling time on the synthesis and consolidation of WC–10 wt%Co powder were investigated by high energy milling in a horizontal ball mill. Nanostructured powder was mechanically alloyed after 60 min cyclic milling with a WC average domain size of 21 nm. The number of nanosize (<0.2 μm) particles increased with milling time. Contamination by Fe increased with milling time, reaching almost 3 wt% after 300 min milling. The onset of the WC–Co eutectic was lowered to 1312 °C through an increase in milling time. The density of the compacted powders increased with the compaction pressure but decreased with milling time achieving 61.7% after 300 min milling compared to 64.4% for 30 min. The compressibility behaviour of the milled powders was determined using a compaction equation. Densification and hardness reached optimum levels for the 60 min milled powder after both pressureless sintering and sinter-HIP.     

Mechanical alloyed Ti–Cu–Ni–Si–B amorphous alloys with significant supercooled liquid region

This study examined the glass formation range of Ti_94–x–yCu_xNi_ySi₄B₂ alloy powders synthesized by mechanical alloying technique. According to the results, after 5–7 h of milling, the mechanically alloyed powders were amorphous at compositions with (x+y) equal to 20–40%. For the compositions with (x+y) larger than 45% or smaller than 10%, the structure of ball-milled powders is a partial amorphous single phase or coexistent partial amorphous and crystalline phases, respectively. The thermal stability of the amorphous powders was also investigated by differential thermal analysis. As the results demonstrated, several amorphous powders were found to exhibit a wide supercooled liquid region before crystallization. The temperature interval of the supercooled liquid region defined by the difference between T_g and T_x, i.e. ΔT(=T_x–T_g), are 52 K for Ti₇₄Ni₂₀Si₄B₂, 74 K for Ti₆₄Ni₃₀Si₄B₂, 58 K for Ti₆₄Cu₂₀Ni₁₀Si₄B₂, and 61 K for Ti₇₄Cu₁₀Ni₁₀Si₄B₂.     

Synthesis of HCP, FCC and BCC structure alloys in the Mg–Ti binary system by means of ball milling

Mg_xTi_100−x (35 ≤ x ≤ 80) alloys with hexagonal close packed (HCP), face centered cubic (FCC) and body centered cubic (BCC) structures were successfully synthesized by means of ball milling. Mg_xTi_100−x alloys with a BCC structure at x = 35 and 50 and with a HCP structure at x = 80 were synthesized by milling of Mg and Ti powder using stainless steel milling balls and pots. At x = 65, the BCC and HCP phases were synthesized. Mg_xTi_100−x alloys with a FCC structure were synthesized at x = 35 and 50 by milling using zirconia milling balls and pots. The FCC and HCP phases were synthesized at x = 65 and 80 using zirconia milling balls and pots. The crystal structure of Mg_xTi_100−x alloys synthesized by the ball milling method depended on the materials of milling balls and pots. That indicates that milling products are determined by the dynamic energy given by the milling setup. The lattice parameters of Mg_xTi_100−x in the HCP, FCC and BCC phases increased with increase of the Mg content, x.     

Synthesis of Ti3AlC2 ceramic by high-energy ball milling of elemental powders of Ti,Al and C

Synthesis of the ternary carbide Ti₃AlC₂ by high-energy ball milling of elemental Ti, Al and C powders with a stoichiometric composition was tentatively investigated. The results show that high content Ti₃AlC₂ was successfully obtained after ball milling of powder mixture only for 3 h. The milled products consist of powder and a coarse granule with 8 mm in diameter, and both are mainly composed of Ti₃AlC₂ with TiC as impurity based on X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) characterization. It is believed that a mechanically induced self-propagating reaction (MSR) was triggered to form Ti₃AlC₂ and TiC during high-energy ball milling process.     

Hydrogen sorption properties of Ti–Cr alloys synthesized by ball milling and cold rolling

Three Ti–Cr alloys with nominal compositions of TiCr_x (x = 2, 1.8 and 1.5) were synthesized by cold rolling and ball milling of as-cast ingots, and their microstructures and hydrogenation properties were studied. X-ray diffraction showed that TiCr_x transformed from a mixture of C14 and C15 Laves phases to a metastable BCC phase after 5 h of ball milling under argon. Cold rolling did not lead to the formation of a metastable BCC phase but only to the reduction of TiCr_x size particles under 20 nm. Surprisingly, the hydrogen absorption/desorption curves of cold rolled and ball milled samples at 323 K were quite similar. This result proves that hydrogen storage properties do not depend only on microstructure and that cold rolling could be an interesting method to synthesize hydrogen storage materials.     

Microstructure and properties of Ti–Co–Si ternary intermetallic alloys

Ti–Co–Si ternary intermetallic alloys with Ti₅Si₃ as the main reinforcing phase and intermetallic TiCo as the toughening matrix were fabricated by the laser-melting deposition (LMD) process. Microstructure of the intermetallic alloys was characterized by OM, SEM, XRD and EDS. High-temperature oxidation resistance of the alloys was evaluated by isothermal oxidation at 1173 K and metallic dry-sliding wear property was evaluated at room temperature. The effect of reinforcing phase Ti₅Si₃ content on hardness, oxidation and wear resistance of the alloys was investigated. Results indicate that microstructure of the alloys transforms from hypoeutectic to hypereutectic, while hardness and oxidation resistance increases with the increasing Ti₅Si₃ content. The alloys have good oxidation resistance at 1173 K and the oxidation kinetic curves are approximately parabolic. Wear resistance of the alloys is insensitive to the microstructure and is up to 15–19 times higher than the hardened tool steel 1.0%C–1.5%Cr under dry-sliding wear test conditions. The excellent wear resistance of alloys is attributed to the effective reinforcement of Ti₅Si₃ and the excellent toughness of the intermetallic TiCo.     

A study on mechanochemical behavior of B2O3–Al system to produce alumina-based nanocomposite

One possible route for producing the fine and homogenous distribution of hard particles in composite microstructure is the mechanochemical processing in which high-energy ball milling promotes the reaction in a mixture of reactive powders. In this study mechanochemical reaction of B₂O₃ and Al powder during ball milling was studied. The phase transformation and microstructure of powder particles during ball milling were investigated by X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that during ball milling the B₂O₃–Al reacted with a combustion mode producing Al₂O₃–AlB₁₂ nanocomposite. The crystallite size of Al₂O₃ and AlB₁₂ was 40 and 25 nm, respectively. This structure appeared to be stable upon annealing.     

The 473 K isothermal section of the Cu–Ti–Sn ternary system

The phase relationships of the Cu–Ti–Sn ternary system at 473 K have been investigated mainly by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy (OM) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The isothermal section consists of 17 single-phase regions, 33 two-phase regions and 17 three-phase regions. The existence of 12 binary compounds and 2 ternary compounds, namely Cu₄Ti, Cu₃Ti₂, Cu₄Ti₃, CuTi, CuTi₂, Cu₃Sn, Cu₆Sn₅, Ti₃Sn, Ti₂Sn, Ti₅Sn₃, Ti₆Sn₅, Ti₂Sn₃, CuTi₅Sn₃ and CuTiSn, are confirmed in the Cu–Ti–Sn ternary system at 473 K. No new ternary compound is found. The maximum solid solubility of Cu in Ti₆Sn₅ was approximately 10 at.% Cu.     

A novel Al–Ti–B alloy for grain refining Al–Si foundry alloys

Al–Ti–B refiners with excess-Ti (Ti:B > 2.2) perform adequately for wrought aluminium alloys but they are not as efficient in the case of foundry alloys. Silicon, which is abundant in the latter, forms silicides with Ti and severely impairs the potency of TiB₂ and Al₃Ti particles. Hence, Al–Ti–B alloys with excess-B (Ti:B < 2.2) and binary Al–B alloys are favored to grain refine hypoeutectic Al–Si alloys. These grain refiners rely on the insoluble (Al,Ti)B₂ or AlB₂ particles for grain refinement, and thus do not enjoy the growth restriction provided by solute Ti. It would be very attractive to produce excess-B Al–Ti–B alloys which additionally contain Al₃Ti particles to maximize their grain refining efficiency for aluminium foundry alloys. A powder metallurgy process was employed to produce an experimental Al–3Ti–3B grain refiner which contains both the insoluble AlB₂ and the soluble Al₃Ti particles. Inoculation of a hypoeutectic Al–Si foundry alloy with this grain refiner has produced a fine equiaxed grain structure across the entire section of the test sample which was more or less retained for holding times up to 15 min.     

Investigations of mechanically alloyed Ni–Zr–Ti–Si amorphous alloys with significant supercooled regions

This study examined the amorphization behavior of Ni₅₇Zr₂₀Ti_23−xSi_x (x=0, 1, 3) alloy powders synthesized by mechanical alloying technique. According to the results, after 5 h of milling, the mechanically alloyed powders were amorphous at compositions of Ni₅₇Zr₂₀Ti_23−xSi_x (x=0, 1, 3). The amorphization behavior of Ni₅₇Zr₂₀Ti₂₀Si₃ was examined in details. The conventional X-ray diffraction and synchrotron EXAFS results confirm that the fully amorphous powders formed after 5 h of milling. The thermal stability of the Ni₅₇Zr₂₀Ti_23−xSi_x amorphous powders was investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). As the results demonstrated, the amorphous powders were found to exhibit a large supercooled liquid region before crystallization. The supercooled liquid regions, defined by the difference between T_g and T_x, (i.e. ΔT=T_g−T_x), are 95 K, 66 K, and 88 K, for Ni₅₇Zr₂₀Ti₂₃, Ni₅₇Zr₂₀Ti₂₂Si₁, and Ni₅₇Zr₂₀Ti₂₀Si₃, respectively.     

Strong bonding of infrared brazed α2-Ti3Al and Ti–6Al–4V using Ti–Cu–Ni fillers

Infrared dissimilar brazing of α₂-Ti₃Al and Ti–6Al–4V using Ti–15Cu–25Ni and Ti–15Cu–15Ni filler metals has been performed in this study. The brazed joint consists primarily of Ti-rich and Ti₂Ni phases, and there is no interfacial phase among the braze alloy, α₂-Ti₃Al and Ti–6Al–4V substrates. The existence of the Ti₂Ni intermetallic compound is detrimental to the bonding strength of the joint. The amount of Ti₂Ni decreases with increasing brazing temperature and/or time due to the depletion of Ni content from the braze alloy into the Ti–6Al–4V substrate during brazing. The shear strength of the brazed joint free of the blocky Ti₂Ni phase is comparable with that of the α₂-Ti₃Al substrate, and strong bonding can thus be obtained.     

Combustion synthesis of TiC–TiB2 composites

An experimental study on formation of TiC–TiB₂ in situ composites with a broad range of compositions was conducted by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) using the reactant compacts from different combinations of Ti, B₄C, C, and B powders. Direct reaction of Ti with B₄C at stoichiometry of Ti:B₄C = 3:1 yields a TiB₂-rich composite with TiC:TiB₂ = 1:2. Formation of the products containing 20, 33.3, and 50 mol% of TiB₂ was achieved by the Ti–B₄C–C reactants. In addition, the test specimen composed of Ti, B₄C, and B was employed for the synthesis of a composite with 80 mol% TiB₂. Among three different types of the powder compacts, the boron-containing sample was characterized by the fastest combustion wave and the highest reaction temperature. The lowest combustion temperature and wave velocity were observed in the Ti–B₄C compact. When fine Ni particles were added to the Ti–B₄C reactant, it was found that the propagation rate of the reaction front was increased and the densification of the end product was enhanced significantly. This was attributed to formation of the Ti–Ni eutectic liquid during the reaction. As a result, the relative density of a TiC + 2TiB₂ composite increases from 30 to 86% with the Ni content from 0 to 20 mol%. Based upon the XRD analysis, small amounts of TiNi₃ and TiB were detected in the Ni-reinforced TiC–TiB₂ composites.     

Synthesis of ultrafine (Ti, W, Mo, V)(C, N)–Ni composite powders by low-energy milling and subsequent carbothermal reduction–nitridation reaction

Ultrafine (Ti, W, Mo, V)(C, N)–Ni composite powders with globular-like particles of 50–300 nm were synthesized at static nitrogen pressure from oxides by a simple and cost-effective route which combines traditional low-energy milling plus carbothermal reduction–nitridation (CRN) techniques. Reaction path of the (Ti, W, Mo, V)(C, N)–Ni system was discussed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry (TG–DSC), and microstructure of the milled powders and final products was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), respectively. The results show that CRN reaction has been enhanced by nano-TiO₂ and nano-carbon powders. Thus, the preparation of (Ti, 15W, 5Mo, 0.2V)(C, N)–20Ni is at only 1300 °C for 1 h. During synthesizing reaction, Ni solid solution phase forms at about 700 °C and reduction–carbonization of WO₂ and MoO₂ occurs below 900 °C. The reactions of TiO₂ → Ti₃O₅, Ti₃O₅ → Ti(C, O) and Ti(C, O) → Ti(C, N) take place at about 930 °C, 1203 °C and 1244 °C, respectively.     

Experimental study of Ti–Sn–Y system phase equilibria at 473 K

The phase equilibria of the Ti–Sn–Y ternary system at 473 K have been investigated mainly by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The existences of 10 binary compounds, Ti₃Sn, Ti₂Sn, Ti₅Sn₃, Ti₆Sn₅, Ti₂Sn₃, Sn₃Y, Sn₂Y, Sn₁₀Y₁₁, Sn₄Y₅ and Sn₃Y₅ were confirmed. The 473 K isothermal section was found to consist of 13 single-phase regions, 23 two-phase regions and 11 three-phase regions. There is no new ternary compound found in the work. None of the phases in this system reveals a remarkable homogeneity range at 473 K.