Influence of 0.2 wt-%C on the aging response of Ti-15-3

Abstract

The effect of aging time and temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-15-3 (Ti – 3Cr – 3Sn – 3Al) with and without carbon addition has been studied. It has been found that carbon addition has a significant effect on the age hardenability and microstructural stability at higher aging temperatures in Ti-15-3, whereas it has a smaller effect at lower aging temperatures, where precipitation of α appears to influence precipitation of ω. The presence of carbides in Ti-15-3 accelerates the precipitation and inhibits the growth of α phase. The gettering of oxygen by the Ti₂C precipitates reduces the tendency of grain boundary α precipitation and improves the homogeneity of α precipitation. The significance of these observations is discussed in terms of the effect of the microstructural changes in quenched and aged samples associated with the presence of Ti₂C precipitates.