Ternary Interdiffusion in β (BCC) Phase of the Ti-Al-Nb System

Abstract

Interdiffusion coefficients are reported at various compositions in the β (BCC) phase of the Ti-Al-Nb system using solid–solid diffusion couples assembled at three different temperatures of 1060 °C, 1100 °C and 1170 °C. The interdiffusion fluxes were determined after fitting the experimental concentration profiles with MultiDiFlux software and the ternary interdiffusion coefficients were evaluated at various compositions using Kirkaldy’s approach. The interdiffusion of Nb was the slowest, while Ti and Al showed similar interdiffusion kinetics. The main interdiffusion coefficients for the three components are positive. The cross interdiffusion coefficients of Ti and Nb are comparable in magnitude to their respective main terms indicating the presence of strong diffusional interactions in this system. The cross coefficient $$\tilde{D}_{\text{TiNb}}^{\text{Al}}$$ is positive indicating that the interdiffusion flux of Ti is enhanced down the concentration gradient of Nb. The negative value of the cross-term $$\tilde{D}_{\text{TiAl}}^{\text{Nb}}$$ indicates that the interdiffusion flux of Ti is enhanced up the gradient of Al. The tracer diffusion coefficient of Al increases with temperature and decreasing Nb content in binary Ti-Nb alloys. Binary interdiffusivities calculated at Ti-Nb compositions by extrapolation are reasonably consistent with the values reported in the literature.