Rapidly solidified titanium alloys for high-temperature applications

The application of rapid solidification technology (RST) to titanium alloy systems is relatively new and became the subject of active research since it was demonstrated that novel titanium alloys of higher temperature capability can be synthesized through new alloy design based on rapid solidification processing. The effects of rapid solidification on the occurrence of metastable phases, microstructures and mechanical properties in binary and ternary titanium alloys are reviewed. In particular, earlier results from RS-Ti alloy research have shown that many different novel dispersoids, some of which are coarsening-resistant at elevated temperatures (600 to 800° C), can be created in the matrix through RST. The alloys containing novel dispersoids also exhibit good creep resistance at elevated temperatures. Further studies on/- and-Ti alloys through RST, in conjunction with the development of various processing technologies for bulk alloy manufacturing, are clearly desirable.