Structure and Mechanical Properties of Low Doped‐Zr TC4 Alloy Prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering

Abstract

The effects of Zr‐doping on TC4 alloy are investigated by mechanical milling and subsequent spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the sintered ingots are studied. It is shown that the microstructure of the alloys undergoes a β‐phase increase through low Zr‐doping, thus the mechanical properties of the studied alloy is improved. Tensile tests are performed to investigate the strength of TC4‐xZr alloys at room temperature. The tensile strength increases and the ductility maintains at a high level with increased Zr content. As a result, the TC4‐5Zr alloy exhibits the highest tensile strength (1106 MPa) and excellent ductility (δ = 16.1%). It is demonstrated that low Zr‐doping in combination with mechanical milling and SPS provides an effective way to enhance the mechanical properties of TC4 alloys.