Development of Techniques for Gamma Ti-Al Production

Gamma Ti-Al (γ Ti-Al) has excellent mechanical properties and oxidation/corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures (above 700°C), which makes it a possible replacement for traditional Ni based superalloy components in aircraft turbine engines and in orbital platform vehicles. The alloy design and efficient routes of TiAl processing are important technological challenges. In this work, samples of Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb (at.%) were produced by powder metallurgy processes. Using powder metallurgy, samples were prepared from elemental and pre-alloyed powders mixed for 2 h, followed by cold uniaxial and isostatic pressing and sintered between 1100°C up to 1400°C, for 1 h, under vacuum. After metallographic preparation, samples were characterized by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), X-ray diffraction (XRD), density analyses and Vickers microhardness measurements. The results indicated the presence of Kirkendall porosity in samples prepared from blended elemental technique and the tendency of a full lamellar α₂ + γ microstructure in samples sintered at high temperatures using Ti-Al pre-alloyed powders.