Formation of TiC/Ti2AlC and α2+γ in in-situ TiAl composites with different solidification paths

In order to improve the mechanical properties of TiAl alloys, TiAl composites with different solidification paths were synthesized by metallurgical method. Results show the TiC disappears and Ti₂AlC increases when the Al content is more than 42% (at.%, similarly hereinafter). Small TiC particles are located in Ti₂AlC grains with irregular shapes when the Al content is 40%, and they translate into clubbed Ti₂AlC with increasing of Al. This metallurgy method can solve the defects of the Al lacking and the residual TiC. The γ phase increases between lamellar colonies with the increasing of Al. When the Al content is 48%, the fully lamellar structure transforms into a duplex microstructure and there are small Ti₂AlC phases in γ phases, because the forming of Ti₂AlC phase must consume Al. The compressive strength increases up to 1678.68 MPa as Al content is 46 at.%, and then decrease to 1460.22 MPa, the compressive strain increases and then keeps stabilization with the increasing Al. The maximum strength improves 38.82% and the maximum strain improves 121.37%. The Ti₂AlC/TiAl composites fracture behaviors are load transferring behavior, crack deflection, trans-lamellar cracking and extraction of carbide reinforcements. The Ti₂AlC phase and the fully lamellar structure improve the mechanical properties.     

Formation of TiAl–Ti2AlC in situ composites by combustion synthesis

Preparation of TiAl–Ti₂AlC in situ composites with a broad range of composition was conducted by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) with compressed samples from the mixture of elemental powders. When compared with SHS formation of monolithic TiAl, the addition of carbon particles to the Ti–Al powder mixture enhances the sustainability of the reaction. It was found that no prior heating was required for the samples prepared to produce the composites containing more than 20 mol% Ti₂AlC, in contrast to the need of preheating at 200 °C for single-phase TiAl formation. This is attributed to the fact that formation of Ti₂AlC is more exothermic than that of TiAl. As a result, the combustion temperature and combustion wave velocity increase with the content of Ti₂AlC formed in the TiAl–Ti₂AlC composite, and approach the values associated with formation of single-phase Ti₂AlC when considerable amounts of Ti₂AlC are yielded. The XRD analysis of the end products confirms formation of TiAl–Ti₂AlC in situ composites. Moreover, simultaneous formation of Ti₂AlC promotes the phase evolution of the aluminide compounds. That is, the secondary aluminide phase, Ti₃Al, was no longer detected in the TiAl–matrix composites containing Ti₂AlC of 30 mol% or above.     

Ti3AlC2掺杂SPS法制备Ti2AlC/TiAl复合材料的研究

通过2TiC-Ti-1.2Al体系的原位热压反应制备了Ti₃AlC₂陶瓷,然后以59.2Ti-30.8Al-10Ti₃AlC₂(wt%)为反应体系,采用放电等离子烧结技术制备出Ti₂AlC/TiAl基复合材料。借助XRD、SEM分析了产物的相组成和微观结构,并测量了其室温力学性能。结果表明：原位热压烧结产物由Ti₃AlC₂和TiC相组成,Ti₃AlC₂呈典型的层状结构,TiC颗粒分布在其间。SPS法制备的Ti₂AlC/TiAl基复合材料主要由TiAl、Ti₃Al和Ti₂AlC相组成,Ti₂AlC增强相主要分布于基体晶界处,表现为晶界/晶内强化作用。力学性能测试表明：Ti₂AlC/TiAl基复合材料的密度、维氏硬度、断裂韧性和抗弯强度分别为3.85 g/cm₃、5.37 GPa、7.17 MPa?m_1/2和494.85 MPa。     

HiPIMS复合热处理制备高纯Ti2AlC MAX相涂层

Ti₂AlC MAX 相涂层是一类兼具金属和陶瓷特性的具有密排六方结构的高性能陶瓷涂层,在电接触、高温防护、宽温域摩擦等领域具有广阔的应用前景。然而 MAX 相涂层的成相成分窗口窄,性能受杂质相影响大,实现高纯、致密 Ti₂AlC MAX 相涂层的制备目前仍存在挑战。考虑沉积气压与溅射等离子体能量密切相关,采用高功率脉冲复合直流磁控溅射技术在钛合金基体上制备了 TiAl / Ti-Al-C 涂层,经后续热处理退火得到高纯 Ti₂AlC MAX 相涂层,重点研究不同沉积气压对涂层退火前后的成分、微观结构以及力学性能的影响和作用机制。结果表明,随着气压不断增大,沉积态涂层厚度先增加后减少。其中低沉积气压下沉积态涂层退火后,结构中除了 Ti₂AlC MAX 相外,还含有一定量杂质相;而在高气压下沉积态涂层退火后几乎全部转变为 Ti₂AlC MAX 相,呈现高纯、表面光滑致密的 MAX 相涂层特征。相较于沉积态涂层,退火后的涂层硬度变化不大,但由于生成了 Ti₂AlC MAX 相,涂层弹性模量有所提高。     

Microstructure and some properties of TiAl-Ti2AlC composites produced by reactive processing

The TiAl–Ti₂AlC composites with and without impurities, Ni, Cl and P, were prepared by combustion reaction from the elemental powders and cast after arc melting. The resulting composites had about 18 vol% Ti₂AlC in the lamellar matrix consisting of γ-TiAl and Ti₃Al (α₂). In the homogenized specimens, the α₂ phase decomposed to γ-TiAl and Ti₂AlC. The composite material had a high strength both at ambient and elevated (1173 K) temperatures; about 800 and 400 MPa, respectively, with an ambient temperature ductility of 0.7% at bending test. The fracture toughness test also proved that the homogenized composite has higher toughness than the as cast one. The toughness value reached to 17.8 MPa m^1/2. The zigzag cracks propagated in the homogenized composite and the reinforcement Ti₂AlC particles and the finely precipitated Ti₂AlC particles were main obstacles to the crack propagation. The composite with impurities showed a marginal improvement in the oxidation resistance over the composites without impurities.     

Interfacial reaction studies of B4C-coated and C-coated SiC fiber reinforced Ti–43Al–9V composites

The interfacial reactions of B₄C-coated and C-coated SiC fiber reinforced Ti–43Al–9V composites were investigated by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The detailed microstructures as well as the chemical composition throughout the reaction zone were identified. For SiC_f/B₄C/TiAl composite, the reaction zone from B₄C coating to TiAl matrix is composed of 4 layers, namely, a carbon-rich layer, a mixed layer of TiB₂ + amorphous carbon, a TiC layer and a mixed layer of TiB + Ti₂AlC. For SiC_f/C/TiAl composite, the reaction zone from C coating to TiAl matrix is composed of 3 layers, namely, a fine-grained TiC layer, a coarse-grained TiC layer and a thick Ti₂AlC layer. For both kinds of composites, the reaction mechanisms of the interfacial reactions were analyzed, and the corresponding reaction kinetics were calculated. The activation energies of interfacial reaction in SiC_f/B₄C/TiAl composite and SiC_f/B₄C/TiAl composite are 308.1 kJ/mol and 230.7 kJ/mol, respectively.     

Precipitation behavior of (Al,Ag)3Ti and Ti3AlC in L10-TiAl in Ti-Al-Ag system

A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation has been performed on the morphologies of L1₂-(Al,Ag)₃Ti and Ti₃AlC precipitates in L1₀-ordered TiAl(Ag). During aging at temperatures around 1073 K after quenching from 1273 K, TiAl(Ag) hardens by the precipitation of (Al,Ag)₃Ti and Ti₃AlC. TEM observations revealed that plate-like (Al,Ag)₃Ti precipitates lie on {001} planes of TiAl(Ag) matrix in the short aging period and the habit plane changed from {001} to {hhl} after a long period aging or high-temperature aging and finally to {112} of the matrix lattice. At the same time needle-like precipitates Ti₃AlC, which lie only in one direction parallel to the [001] direction of the TiAl(Ag) matrix, appear after long period aging or high-temperature aging. The anisotropic misfits between TiAl(Ag) matrix and L1₂-(Al,Ag)₃Ti and Ti₃AlC are considered to explain the morphologies of L1₂-(Al,Ag)₃Ti and Ti₃AlC precipitates.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of TiAl alloy prepared by spark plasma sintering

A fine-grained TiAl alloy with a composition of Ti-47%Al(mole fraction) was prepared by double mechanical milling(DMM) and spark plasma sintering(SPS). The relationship among sintering temperature, microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-47%Al alloy was studied by X-ray diffractometry(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and mechanical testing. The results show that the morphology of double mechanical milling powder is regular with size of 20?40 μm. The main phase TiAl and few phases Ti₃Al and Ti₂Al were observed in the SPS bulk samples. For samples sintered at 1000 °C, the equiaxed crystal grain was achieved with size of 100?250 nm. The samples exhibited compressive and bending properties at room temperature with compressive strength of 2013 MPa, compression ratio of 4.6% and bending strength of 896 MPa. For samples sintered at 1100 °C, the size of equiaxed crystal grain was obviously increased. The SPS bulk samples exhibited uniform microstructures, with equiaxed TiAl phase and lamellar Ti₃Al phase were observed. The samples exhibited compressive and bending properties at room temperature with compressive strength of 1990 MPa, compression ratio of 6.0% and bending strength of 705 MPa. The micro-hardness of the SPS bulk samples sintered at 1000 °C is obviously higher than that of the samples sintered at 1100 °C. The compression fracture mode of the SPS TiAl alloy samples is intergranular fracture and the bending fracture mode of the SPS TiAl alloy samples is intergranular rupture and cleavage fracture.     

Microstructure evolution and nitrides precipitation in in-situ Ti2AlN/TiAl composites during isothermal aging at 900 °C

Microstructures of Ti₂AlN/TiAl composites prepared by in-situ method were characterized in in-situ and aging treatment conditions and the nitride precipitation was investigated in Ti₂AlN/TiAl composites aged at 900 °C for 24 h after being heat treated at 1400 °C for 0.5 h. The in-situ composites consist of γ+α₂ lamellar colonies, equiaxed γ grains and Ti₂AlN reinforcements. Matrix with nearly fully lamellar structure formed after solution and subsequently aging treatment. With the increase of Ti₂AlN content, the nearly fully lamellar structure becomes instable for the aged composites. According to TEM study, fine Ti₂AlN precipitates are found to distribute at the grain boundaries of lamellar colony. Needle-like Ti₃AlN precipitates arrange in line with growing axis parallel to [001] direction of the γ-TiAl matrix and another needle-like Ti₃AlN precipitates with lager size distribute at the dislocations.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of Al 2519 matrix composites reinforced with Ti-coated SiC particles

Ti-coated SiC_p particles were developed by vacuum evaporation with Ti to improve the interfacial bonding of SiC_p/Al composites. Ti-coated SiC particles and uncoated SiC particles reinforced Al 2519 matrix composites were prepared by hot pressing, hot extrusion and heat treatment. The influence of Ti coating on microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results show that the densely deposited Ti coating reacts with SiC particles to form TiC and Ti₅Si₃ phases at the interface. Ti-coated SiC particle reinforced composite exhibits uniformity and compactness compared to the composite reinforced with uncoated SiC particles. The microstructure, relative density and mechanical properties of the composite are significantly improved. When the volume fraction is 15%, the hardness, fracture strain and tensile strength of the SiC_p reinforced Al 2519 composite after Ti plating are optimized, which are HB 138.5, 4.02% and 455 MPa, respectively.     

Processing and characterization of porous Ti2AlC with controlled porosity and pore size

In this work, we demonstrate a simple and inexpensive way to fabricate porous Ti₂AlC, one of the best studied materials from the MAX phase family, with controlled porosity and pore size. This was achieved by using NaCl as the pore former, which was dissolved after cold pressing but before pressureless sintering at 1400 °C. Porous Ti₂AlC with samples a volume fraction of porosity ranging from ～10 to ～71 vol.% and different pore size ranges, i.e. 42–83, 77–276 and 167–545 μm, were successfully fabricated. Fabricated samples were systematically characterized to determine their phase composition, morphology and porosity. Room temperature elastic moduli, compressive strength and thermal conductivity were determined as a function of porosity and/or pore size. For comparison, several samples pressureless-sintered without NaCl pore former, or fabricated by spark plasma sintering, were also characterized. The effects of porosity and/or pore size on the room temperature elastic moduli, compressive strength and thermal conductivity of porous Ti₂AlC are reported and discussed in this work. It follows that porosity can be a useful microstructural parameter to tune mechanical and thermal properties of Ti₂AlC.     

Joining of Cf/SiC Composite and TC4 Using Ag-Al-Ti Active Brazing Alloy

Carbon fiber reinforced SiC (C_f/SiC) composite was successfully joined to TC4 with Ag-Al-Ti alloy powder by brazing. Microstructures of the brazed joints were investigated by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer, and x-ray diffraction. The mechanical properties of the brazed joints were measured by mechanical testing machine. The results showed that the brazed joint mainly consists of TiC, Ti₃SiC₂, Ti₅Si₃, Ag, TiAl, and Ti₃Al reaction products. TiC + Ti₃SiC₂/Ti₅Si₃ + TiAl reaction layers are formed near C_f/SiC composite while TiAl/Ti₃Al/Ti + Ti₃Al reaction layers are formed near TC4. The thickness of reaction layers of the brazed joint increases with the increased brazing temperature or holding time. The maximum room temperature and 500 °C shear strengths of the joints brazed at brazing temperature 930 °C for holding time 20 min are 84 and 40 MPa, respectively.     

Oxygen incorporation in M2AlC (M = Ti,V, Cr)

Oxygen incorporation in the MAX phases Ti₂AlC, V₂AlC and Cr₂AlC was studied by ab initio calculations. Comparing the calculated energies for oxygen incorporation indicates that oxygen substitutes for carbon in Ti₂AlC and V₂AlC, but is incorporated interstitially in the Al layer of Cr₂AlC, even for carbon-deficient Cr₂AlC. To evaluate these predictions, combinatorial d.c. sputtering was used to deposit thin films with different oxygen concentrations. Two phase regions of Cr₂AlC and Cr₂Al were investigated in order to study oxygen incorporation in carbon-deficient Cr₂AlC. X-ray strain analysis data indicate that the a and c lattice parameters increase with oxygen content. These trends are in good agreement with the change in lattice parameters predicted by ab initio calculations and therefore corroborate the notion of interstitial oxygen incorporation in Cr₂AlC. A metastable solubility limit for oxygen of 3.5 at.% was determined experimentally. This is the first report on interstitial oxygen in a MAX phase and may be of relevance during the initial stages of oxidation.     

Two-phase materials for high-temperature service

The structures and properties of two families of lattice-coherent composites, those based on γ/γ′ Ni₃Al and those based on TiAl/Ti₃Al, are shown to have strong similarities. The coherent system of cubic/tetragonal Y₂O₃–stabilized ZrO₂ is then described, and shown to have strong similarities to the system TiAl/Ti₃Al. The phases γ TiAℓ (L1_o) and α₂ Ti₃Aℓ (DO₁₉) are not cubic, and their anisotropic thermal expansion may lead to ratcheting creep under conditions of thermal cycling.     

Studying the oxidation of Ti2AlC MAX phase in atmosphere: A review

The oxidation of Ti₂AlC MAX phase has been studied in this paper. MAX phases are a class of materials with nano-layered structure. These materials have been formed from a transition metal (M), an element from the IIIA or IVA groups (A) and carbon or nitrogen (X). Ti₂AlC MAX phase is a ternary carbide with layered structure and hexagonal crystalline lattice. Physical and chemical properties are the most significant characteristics of the Ti₂AlC which have introduced this material as the most practical MAX phase known so far. This material is currently considered as the most used MAX phase at elevated temperatures, the application of which requires correct recognition of the oxidation mechanism. Many of researchers investigated on the oxidation of Ti₂AlC. Therefore, it has been tried in this paper to introduce this MAX phase and also report all the investigations of its oxidation characteristics at elevated temperatures.     

Microstructure and wear resistance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> porous TiO/Cu composites

An in situ porous TiO/Cu composite is successfully prepared using powder metallurgy by the reaction of Ti₂CO and Cu powder. Morphological examination of the composite shows that the porosity of composites lies in the range between 10.2% and 35.2%. Dry sliding un-lubricated wear tests show that the wear resistance of the composite is higher than that of the Cu-Al alloy ingot. The coefficient of friction test shows that, as the volume fraction of the reinforced phase increases, the coefficient of friction decreases. The wear rate variation trend of the oil-lubricated wear test results is similar to that of the un-lubricated wear test results. The coefficient of friction for oil lubrication is similar for different volume fractions of the reinforced phase. The wear resistance of the composite at a sliding velocity of 200 rpm is slightly larger than that at 50 rpm. The porosity of the composites enhances the high-velocity oil-lubricated sliding wear resistance.     

塑性变形与退火对Ag-Ti3AlC2复合材料性能的影响

研究了塑性变形和退火处理对热压烧结Ag-Ti3AlC2复合材料力学及电学性能的影响。结果表明,塑性变形+退火处理能显著提高复合材料的导电性,其中Ag-20%Ti3AlC2(体积分数)电阻率降幅达到15.02%;复合材料的抗拉强度随着变形量的增加而大幅提升,Ag-20%Ti3AlC2复合材料在Φ2 mm加工态时抗拉强度达到最高的462.42 MPa,经退火处理,其强度降低28.57%,延伸率提高435.11%,达到19.05%,综合力学性能显著提高。     

Microstructure of carbide precipitates in L12−Ni3Al and L10−TiAl

The crystallographic structures of carbide formed in Ni₃Al- and TiAl-based intermetallics containing carbon are investigated in this study using transmission electron microscopy. In an L1₂-ordered Ni₃Al alloy with 4 mol.% of chromium and 0.2 mol.% to 3.0 mol.% of carbon, fine octahedral precipitates of M₂₃C₆ type carbide were formed in the matrix by aging at temperatures around 973 K after solution annealing at 1423 K. TEM examination revealed that the M₂₃C₆ phase and the matrix lattices have a cube-cube orientation relationship and maintain partial atomic matching at the {111} interface. After prolonged aging or by aging at higher temperatures, the M₂₃C₆ precipitates adopt a rod-like morphology elongated parallel to the <100> directions. In L1₀-ordered TiAl containing from 0.1 mol.% to 2.0 mol.% carbon, TEM observations reveal that needle-like precipitates, which lie only in one direction parallel to the [001] axis of the L1₀ matrix appear in the matrix mainly at dislocations. Selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns analyses showed that the needle-shaped precipitate is perovskite-type Ti₃AlC. The orientation relationship between the Ti₃AlC and the L1₀ matrix was found to be (001)_Ti3AlC//(001)_{L10 matrix} and [010]_Ti3AlC//[010]_{L10 matrix}. By aging at higher temperatures or for a longer period at 1073 K, plate-like precipitates of Ti₂AlC with a hexagonal structure form on the {111} planes of the L1₀ matrix. The orientation relationship between the Ti₂AlC and the L1₀ matrix is (0001)_Ti2AlC//(111)_{L10 matrix} and Ti2AlC//L10 matrix.     

Effects of annealing on microstructure and mechanical properties of γ-TiAl alloy fabricated via laser melting deposition

The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the as-deposited γ-TiAl-based alloy specimen fabricated via laser melting deposition and as-annealed specimens at different temperatures were investigated. The results show that the microstructure of as-deposited specimen is composed of fine α₂(Ti₃Al)+γ lamellae. With the increase of annealing temperature, the bulk γ_m (TiAl) phase gradually changes from single γ phase to γ phase + acicular α₂ phase, finally small γ phase + lamellar α₂₊γ phase. Compared with the mechanical properties of as-deposited γ-TiAl alloy (tensile strength 469 MPa, elongation 1.1%), after annealing at 1260 °C for 30 min followed by furnace cooling (FC), the room-temperature tensile strength of the specimen is 543.4 MPa and the elongation is 3.7%, which are obviously improved.     

Ti2AlC coatings deposited by High Velocity Oxy-Fuel spraying

High Velocity Oxy-Fuel has been utilized to spray coatings from Ti₂AlC (MAXTHAL 211^®) powders. X-ray diffraction showed that the coatings consist predominantly of Ti₂AlC with inclusions of the phases Ti₃AlC₂, TiC, and Al-Ti alloys. The fraction of Ti₂AlC in coatings sprayed with a powder size of 38 μm was found to increase with decreasing power of the spraying flame as controlled by the total gas flow of H₂ and O₂. A more coarse powder (56 μm) is less sensitive to the total gas flow and retains higher volume fraction of MAX-phase in the coatings, however, at the expense of increasing porosity. X-ray pole figure measurements showed a preferred crystal orientation in the coatings with the Ti₂AlC (000l) planes aligned to the substrate surface. Bending tests show a good adhesion to stainless steel substrates and indentation yields a hardness of 3-5 GPa for the coatings sprayed with a powder size of 38 μm.