Solidification structures of Ti–Al–Cr alloys

Phase transformations in the ternary Ti–Al–Cr alloy system have been studied by combining preliminary phase equilibria calculations and microstructural studies of a number of model alloys. The results have contributed to a better understanding of phase equilibria in the Ti–Al–Cr alloy system above 1273 K. A liquid surface projection has been tentatively proposed. Micro-twins have been observed in the monolithic γ phase within a B2 matrix. This supports a previously proposed mechanism for the formation of such a structure in a B2 matrix. The results also suggest that there is no representative orientation relationship between γ and the Ti(Cr,Al)₂ Laves phase. The L1₂ τ phase can be in direct equilibrium with the liquid phase. The ω phase stability has also been studied. The stability of the ω phase is attributed to the electron density of the prior B2 phase. This leads to changes in the effective heat of formation of the ω structure, as concluded from total energy LMTO calculations.     

Comparative investigation of oxidation resistance and thermal stability of nanostructured Ti–B–N and Ti–Si–B–N coatings

Nanostructured Ti–B–N and Ti–Si–B–N coatings were deposited on silicon substrate by ion implantation assisted magnetron sputtering technique. To evaluate the oxidation resistance and thermal stability the coatings were annealed on air and in vacuum at 700–900°C. As-deposited and thermal-treated coatings were investigated by transmission electron microscope, selected area electron and x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, Raman and glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy. Nanoindentaion tests were also performed. Obtained results show that Si alloying significantly improves the thermal stability of Ti–B–N coatings and increases their oxidation resistance up to 900°C. It was shown that formation of protective amorphous SiO₂ top-layer on the coating surface plays important role in the increasing of the oxidation resistance.     

Structure of Quenched Ti–Ru Alloys

Quenched titanium–ruthenium alloys containing 0.25–4 at % ruthenium have been studied using X-ray diffraction analysis, optical metallography, transmission electron microscopy, and microhardness measurements. It has been found that, during the quenching of the alloys containing 0.25, 0.5, and 1 at % ruthenium, a polymorphic β → α transformation occurs with the formation of a two-phase (α + β) structure. In Ti–1.5 at % Ru and Ti–2 at % Ru alloys, a martensitic β → α″ transformation occurs. The quenched Ti–3 at % Ru alloy has a β + ω structure. The complete stabilization of the β phase takes place in the alloy with 4 at % ruthenium. In the electron-diffraction patterns of alloy containing 4 at % ruthenium, diffuse scattering that indicates the formation of ω-phase-related displacements in the locations of atoms has been observed.     

Experimental Investigation of the Ti–V Side in the Ti–V–Sn Ternary System

Phase relations in the Ti–V–Sn system are of great importance for design of aerospace titanium alloys. However, reported Ti–V–Sn ternary phase diagrams present great differences. The isothermal section of the Ti–V side in the Ti–V–Sn system at 1073, 1173, and 1273 K was established using equilibria alloys. There are 11 two-phase equilibria and 3 three-phase equilibria, 9 two-phase equilibria and 3 three-phase equilibria, and 9 two-phase equilibria and 3 three-phase equilibria in the isothermal section at 1073, 1173, and 1273 K, respectively. In addition, remarkable ternary solubility in some binary compounds was detected, e.g., up to 21.18 and 22.23 at.% V in Ti₃Sn and Ti₂Sn, respectively, at 1273 K.     

Stability of B2 ordered phase in the Ti-rich portion of Ti–Al–Cr and Ti–Al–Fe ternary systems

The stability region of the B2 phase at 1000°C in the Ti-rich part of the Ti–Al–Cr and Ti–Al–Fe ternary systems are investigated by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using two-phase alloys and diffusion couples. It is established that the critical boundaries of the A2/B2 continuous ordering transition are functions of both the Al and Fe or Cr contents, and the phase equilibria between the α₂ and the β and between the β and FeTi (B2) phases are strongly affected by the A2/B2 order–disorder transition. By extrapolating these ternary data to the Ti–Al binary and using the Bragg–Williams–Gorsky approximation a metastable A2/B2 ordering boundary is postulated to exist at 1000°C in the vicinity of 23.5 at%Al in the Ti–Al binary system.     

Machining of a Zr–Ti–Al–Cu–Ni metallic glass

Zr_52.5Ti₅Cu_17.9Ni_14.6Al₁₀ metallic glass machining chips were characterized using SEM, X-ray diffraction and nano-indentation. Above a threshold cutting speed, oxidation of the Zr produces high flash temperatures and causes crystallization. The chip morphology was unique and showed the presence of shear bands, void formation and viscous flow.     

Structure of quenched alloys of the Ti–Pd system

The quenched alloys of the Ti–Pd system containing 2–15 at % Pd have been studied using X-ray diffraction analysis, optical metallography, transmission electron microscopy, and measurements of the microhardness. It has been found that, in the course of quenching, epy alloys containing 2, 3, and 5 at % Pd undergo a eutectoid decomposition into the α phase and Ti₂Pd intermetallic compound, and the Ti–7 at % Pd and Ti–9 at % Pd alloys undergo a β → α' martensitic transformation. In the alloys with Pd contents of more than 9 at %, the β phase is fixed in the metastable state. The complete stabilization of the β phase takes place in the alloys containing 11 at % Pd and more. It has been found that the formation of the orthorhombic α" phase and metastable ω phase in the quenched alloys of this system does not occur.     

Fatigue behavior of Zr–Ti–Ni–Cu–Be bulk-metallic glasses

The high-cycle fatigue (HCF) behavior of the Zr_41.2Ti_13.8Cu_12.5Ni₁₀Be_22.5 (in at.%) bulk-metallic glass (BMG) was studied. Two batches of samples that are from different lots (Batches 59 and 94) are employed in present experiments. The HCF experiments were conducted, using an electrohydraulic machine at a frequency of 10 Hz with a R ratio of 0.1 in air at room temperature and under tension-tension loading, where R=σ_min./σ_max.. (σ_min. and σ_max. are the applied minimum and maximum stresses, respectively). A high-speed and high-sensitivity thermographic-infrared (IR) imaging system was employed for the nondestructive evaluation of temperature evolutions during fatigue testing. No distinct sparking phenomenon was observed at the final fracture moment for this alloy. The fatigue lifetime of Batch 59 is longer than that of Batch 94 at high stress levels (maximum stresses >864 MPa). Moreover, the fatigue-endurance limit of Batch 59 (703 MPa) is somewhat greater than that of Batch 94 (615 MPa). The vein pattern and liquid droplets were observed in the apparent-melting region along the edge of the fractured surfaces. The fracture morphology suggests that fatigue cracks initiated from casting defects, such as porosities and inclusions, which have an important effect on the fatigue behavior of BMGs.     

Control of crystallinity in sputtered Cr–Ti–C films

The influence of Ti content on crystallinity and bonding of Cr–Ti–C thin films deposited by magnetron sputtering have been studied by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Our results show that binary Cr–C films without Ti exhibit an amorphous structure with two non-crystalline components; amorphous CrC_x and amorphous C (a-C). The addition of 10–20 at.% Ti leads to the crystallization of the amorphous CrC_x and the formation of a metastable cubic (Cr_1?xTi_x)Cy phase. The observation was explained based on the tendency of the 3d transition metals to form crystalline carbide films. The mechanical properties of the films determined by nanoindentation and microindentation were found to be strongly dependent on the film composition in terms of hardness, elasticity modulus, hardness/elasticity ratio and crack development.     

Shape memory properties of Ti–Nb–Mo biomedical alloys

Mo is added to Ti–Nb alloys in order to enhance their superelasticity. The shape memory properties of Ti–(12–28)Nb–(0–4)Mo alloys are investigated in this paper. The Ti–27Nb, Ti–24Nb–1Mo, Ti–21Nb–2Mo and Ti–18Nb–3Mo alloys exhibit the most stable superelasticity with a narrow stress hysteresis among Ti–Nb–Mo alloys with Mo contents of 0, 1, 2 and 3 at.%, respectively. The ternary alloys reveal better superelasticity due to a higher critical stress for slip deformation and a larger transformation strain. A Ti–15Nb–4Mo alloy heat-treated at 973 K undergoes (2 1 1)〈1 1 1〉-type twinning during tensile testing. Twinning is suppressed in the alloy heat-treated at 923 K due to the precipitation of the α phase, allowing the alloy to deform via a martensitic transformation process. The Ti–15Nb–4Mo alloy exhibits stable superelasticity with a critical stress for slip deformation of 582 MPa and a total recovery strain of 3.5%.     

Microstructure and mechanical performance of brazed joints of Cf/SiC composite and Ti alloy using Ag–Cu–Ti–W

Abstract

C_f/SiC composite was brazed to Ti alloy using interlayer of Ag–Cu–Ti–W mixed powder. The effects of W content and brazing parameters on the microstructure and properties of the brazed joints were investigated. The results show that W grains mainly distribute in Ag phase in the brazing layer and provide the effects of reinforcement and lowering residual thermal stress on the joint. The room temperature and 500°C shear strengths of the joints performed at 500°C for 30 min with Ag–Cu–Ti–50W (vol.-%) are remarkably higher than the optimal strengths of the joints brazed with Ag–Cu–Ti.     

Refining performance of Al–3Ti–0.2C–5Sr on A356 alloy and electron microanalysis of ternary Al–Ti–Sr phases

The effect of Al-3Ti-0.2C-5Sr(wt%) grain refiner on the refining performance and modification of A356 alloy was investigated using optical microscope(OM).The morphology and crystal structure of ternary Al-Ti-Sr phases in Al-3Ti-0.2C-5Sr refiner were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The results show that the ternary Al-TiSr phases in Al-3Ti-0.2C-5Sr refiner can promote the grain refining efficiency of A356 alloy.The ternary Al-Ti-Sr phases co-exist in two morphologies,i.e.,blocky-like phase and surround-like phase,besides,which both have the same chemical composition of Al_(34)Ti_3Sr.The crystal structure of Al_(34)Ti_3Sr is face-centered cubic,and the lattice parameter is determined to be about 1.52 nm.     

Comparison of high temperature shape memory behaviour for ZrCu-based,Ti–Ni–Zr and Ti–Ni–Hf alloys

New ZrCu-based high temperature shape memory alloys with M_s close to 500 K are under development. The shape memory behaviour of this material is compared to those of Ti–Ni–Zr and Ti–Ni–Hf alloys. The optimal compositions show a shape recovery of not less than 3% at temperatures above 470 K.     

Microstructure and tensile properties of orthorhombic Ti–Al–Nb–Ta alloys

Microstructure and tensile properties of orthorhombic Ti–Al–Nb–Ta alloys have been studied. In order to optimize ductility and strength of the orthorhombic alloys with the nominal compositions of Ti–22Al–23Nb–3Ta and Ti–22Al–20Nb–7Ta, various thermomechanical processing steps were implemented as part of the processing route. With a special heat treatment before rolling to obtain a fine and homogeneous rolled microstructure, the rolled microstructure resulted in a good combination of high tensile yield strength and good ductility of the alloys through available solution and age treatments. The duplex microstructure with equiaxed α₂/O particles and fine O phase laths in a B2 matrix, deforming in α₂+B2+O phase field and treating in O+B2 phase field, possesses the highest tensile properties. The R.T. yield strength and ductility of the Ti–22Al–20Nb–7Ta alloy are 1200 MPa, and 9.8% respectively. The yield strength and ductility values of 970 MPa and 14% were also maintained at elevated temperature (650°C).     

TEM study of structural and microstructural characteristics of a precipitate phase in Ni-rich Ni–Ti–Hf and Ni–Ti–Zr shape memory alloys

The precipitates formed after suitable thermal treatments in seven Ni-rich Ni–Ti–Hf and Ni–Ti–Zr high-temperature shape memory alloys have been investigated by conventional and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. In both ternary systems, the precipitate coarsening kinetics become faster as the Ni and ternary element contents (Hf or Zr) of the bulk alloy are increased, in agreement with the precipitate composition measured by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The precipitate structure has been found to be the same in both Hf- and Zr-containing ternary alloys, and determined to be a superstructure of the B2 austenite phase, which arises from a recombination of the Hf/Zr and Ti atoms in their sublattice. Two different structural models for the precipitate phase were optimized using density functional theory methods. These calculations indicate that the energetics of the structure are not very sensitive to the atomic configuration of the Ti–Hf/Zr planes, thus significant configurational disorder due to entropic effects can be envisaged at high temperatures. The precipitates are fully coherent with the austenite B2 matrix; however, upon martensitic transformation, they lose some coherency with the B19′ matrix as a result of the transformation shear process in the surrounding matrix. The strain accommodation around the particles is much easier in the Ni–Ti–Zr-containing alloys than in the Ni–Ti–Hf system, which correlates well with the lower transformation strain and stiffness predicted for the Ni–Ti–Zr alloys. The B19′ martensite twinning modes observed in the studied Ni-rich ternary alloys are not changed by the new precipitated phase, being equivalent to those previously reported in Ni-poor ternary alloys.     

Preparation of Ti–Nb–Ta–Zr alloys for load-bearing biomedical applications

Ti–Nb–Ta–Zr alloys for biomedical applications were successfully fabricated by arc melting(AM) and diffusion bonding.The microstructure, mechanical properties and electrochemistry behavior in a simulated body fluid(SBF) were studied.It shows that melted Ti–Nb–Ta–Zr alloy mainly contains β phase although there are a few Ti-rich phases and micropores, the number of which is lower than that in sintered sample with a few Ti-rich and Ta-rich phases.The melted alloys present higher strength(1224 MPa), Young's modulus(15.3 GPa) and corrosion potential(-0.34 V) in SBF, while total recovery strain ratio(67.5%) and pseudoelastic strain ratio(8.4%) of sintered Ti–Nb–Ta–Zr alloy keep higher value than 35.7%and 5.0% for melted Ti–Nb–Ta–Zr.The reasons were discussed based on the microstructure of the Ti–Nb–Ta–Zr alloys.     

Development of freeform fabrication method for Ti–Al–Ni intermetallics

A new droplet-based reactive rapid prototyping (RRP) method for making intermetallic parts is demonstrated. This method combines the processes of solid freeform fabrication (SFF) and combustion synthesis (CS). Intermetallic beads are produced by the CS reaction. These synthesized beads are assembled and joined by using the SFF technique with the aid of heat released from exothermic reactions. The intermetallic compound of Ti–Al–Ni is chosen to demonstrate this method. Ni was added to the Ti–Al system to enhance the reaction. Thermodynamics of the Ti–Al–X·NI (X=5, 10, 15 wt.%) system are calculated. The effects of the addition of Ni in powder bed and heating temperature of aluminum droplets on the width and thickness of the reacted area were investigated. As an example, a Ti–Al–Ni intermetallic bar with simple shape was fabricated as a demonstration of RRP.