Processing of TiAl–Ti2AlN composites and their compressive properties

Abstract

Using elemental powders, combustion reaction was carried out to form intermetallic-ceramic composites in the Ti–Al–N system. Ti and Al powders reacted exothermically in gaseous nitrogen and formed a mixture product which had a fine distribution of the Ti2AlN particles in the matrix TiAl with a small amount of Ti3Al. Subsequently, these reacted products were arc-melted to obtain fully dense button ingots. The resulting composites had about 30 vol. % Ti2AlN, and the Ti2AlN particles were ellipsoidal or columnar in shape with sizes of 2–10 μm and appeared to be homogeneously distributed and well bonded to the matrix TiAl. It was found that such composite materials have a high strength at both room and elevated temperatures and some intrinsic compressive ductility at room temperature. Therefore, the processing technique in the present investigation is of interest as a new combustion reaction process to make intermetallic-based composite materials.