Abstract
In the last decade, titanium metal matrix composites (TMCs) have received considerable attention thanks to their interesting properties as a consequence of the clear interface between the matrix and the reinforcing phases formed. In this work, TMCs with 30 vol % of B4C are consolidated by hot pressing. This technique is a powder metallurgy rapid process. Incorporation of the intermetallic to the matrix, 20 vol % (Ti-Al), is also evaluated. Here, the reinforcing phases formed by the reaction between the titanium matrix and the ceramic particles, as well as the intermetallic addition, promote substantial variations to the microstructure and to the properties of the fabricated composites. The influences of the starting materials and the consolidation temperature (900 °C and 1000 °C) are investigated. By X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy analysis, the in-situ-formed phases in the matrix and the residual ceramic particles were studied. Furthermore, mechanical properties are studied through tensile and bending tests in addition to other properties, such as Young’s modulus, hardness, and densification of the composites. The results show the significant effect of temperature on the microstructure and on the mechanical properties from the same starting powder. Moreover, the Ti-Al addition causes variation in the interface between the reinforcement and the matrix, thereby affecting the behaviour of the TMCs produced at the same temperature.
Highlights
In-situ reinforced titanium matrix composites (TMCs) are considered interesting materials thanks to excellent properties such as high strength and high stiffness [1,2]
These results showed that in titanium metal matrix composites (TMCs) produced at 1000 ◦ C: (i) in the specimen with intermetallic, the composition values of TiB and TiC were 2.1 wt. % and 0.3 wt. %, respectively; (ii) in the specimen without intermetallic, these figures were 2.7 wt. % and 1.1 wt. %, respectively
TMCs were processed by direct hot pressing for 15 min at 900 ◦ C and 1000 ◦ C
Summary
In-situ reinforced titanium matrix composites (TMCs) are considered interesting materials thanks to excellent properties such as high strength and high stiffness [1,2]. Powder metallurgy enables researchers to advance further in this field thanks to its versatility and flexibility Techniques, such as spark plasma sintering and hot pressing, are two possible candidates to produce in-situ TMCs, due to their short run cycle and the high heating rate reached during the process [28,29]. The present study focuses on the relationship between the final properties and substantial changes in the TMC microstructures deriving from the starting materials and the processing temperature. The development and manufacturing of materials with highly specific properties for aerospace applications render their study and investigation attractive
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