Development of Production Techniques for Aerospace Titanium Alloys

Titanium alloys parts are ideally suited for advanced aerospace systems because of their unique combination of high specific strength and superior resistance to many corrosive environments, in addition to excellent composite compatibility. Despite these features, use of titanium alloys in engines and airframes is limited by cost. Therefore, the improvement of processing techniques for titanium alloys production became a trend of the modern metallurgic technology. This work presents results of the microstructural development of Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo alloy produced by arc melting and powder metallurgy processes. This alloy has important applications in aerospace area, in sections exposed to high temperatures. Samples of this alloy were characterized by SEM (scanning electron microscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), Vickers microhardness measurements and density. The results indicate that it is necessary the complete dissolution of beta-stabilizer element (Mo) for total homogenization of the alloy produced by powder metallurgy. In addition, this element can promote segregation in sections of the ingots produced by arc melting processing.