Solid-State Sintering: Critical Assessment of Theoretical Concepts and Experimental Methods

Abstract

Prealloyed Ti–6Al–2Sn–4Zr–2Mo titanium alloy powders made by a rotating electrode process were consolidated by three techniques: hot isostatic pressing (HIP), hot explosive compaction (HEC), and hot rolling (HR), to optimize the processing parameters in order to obtain fully dense compacts and the desired microstructures and mechanical properties. Room-temperature tensile properties show that all three techniques are capable of giving full density and mechanical properties equivalent to or better than wrought properties. Control of processing parameters which may require another step of deformation such as rolling gives more reliability for HIP and HEC compacts. Metallography and scanning electron microscopic studies on fractured tensile specimens revealed the presence of both metallic and non-metallic inclusions in the compacts. The control of such contaminations during manufacturing as well as processing is necessary for good mechanical properties. PM/0181