Ti Diffusion Research Articles

Effect of Artificial Saliva Modification on Corrosion Resistance of Metal Oxide Coatings on Co-Cr-Mo Dental Alloy

Surface modifications not only improve the corrosion resistance of Co-Cr-Mo dental alloys (Bego Wirobond® C) but also ensure their long-term performance and reliability in dental applications. This paper describes the preparation of single-layer TiO2-ZrO2 sol–gel coatings on the Co-Cr-Mo dental alloy using the method of dip-coating. The TiO2-ZrO2 sol–gel coatings were sintered at 300 and 500 °. SEM analysis shows that sintering at 300 °C produces a uniform, slightly dense structure without micro-cracks, while sintering at 500 °C results in a denser structure with micro-cracks due to higher stress and shrinkage. EDS confirms that sintering temperature affects the elemental composition of the coating, with higher temperatures causing the volatilization or diffusion of Ti and Zr. Roughness measurements indicate that the Ra value increases with the sintering temperature, meeting dental application requirements. Electrochemical measurements by open-circuit potential, EIS, and cyclic potentiodynamic curves demonstrate that sintering temperature and saliva composition affect corrosion resistance, with NaF and mouthwashes (Listerine Total Care Teeth Protection® and Meridol®) generally increasing charge transfer resistance and double-layer capacitance. The ceramic TiO2-ZrO2 coatings significantly reduce pitting corrosion susceptibility at physiological and acidic pH, with the 500 °C sintered coating showing better protective properties. These findings highlight the potential of TiO2-ZrO2 coatings in enhancing the performance of Co-Cr-Mo dental alloys.

Exploring Platinum Thin Films as Electrodes for High‐Temperature and ‐Pressure Electrochemical Studies in Aqueous Systems

ABSTRACTThis work reports a methodology for the fabrication of Pt thin‐film electrodes for electrochemical studies in hydrothermal systems. The research process was meticulous, with particular attention paid to the multilayer Ti/Pt/Ti/Al2O3 film structure and annealing conditions that are expected to impact the morphology of the films, surface composition and electrochemical response. The findings of this study are significant, as they provide valuable insights into the behaviour of Pt thin‐film electrodes in various media and conditions. Two different approaches were adopted for the preparation of the electrodes: in one case, the Ti/Pt/Ti/Al2O3 films deposited on sapphire wafers were exposed to rapid thermal annealing at 900°C under argon for 5 min, followed by argon ion milling to etch the final electrode pattern (Pt‐RA(900)), while in the other case, uncapped Pt films were annealed, after etching, in a tubular oven under argon at specific temperatures between 200°C and 900°C (Pt‐TO). Rapid annealing at 900°C on capped films resulted in the formation of a Pt3Ti intermetallic alloy with remarkable mechanical and chemical stability even after 10 h of immersion in deionised water, acid (0.1 M H2SO4) and alkaline media (0.1 M KOH) conditions at temperatures up to 150°C, despite the dissolution of the Al2O3 top layer at 150°C and long immersion times (> 10 h). In the case of uncapped Pt films, diffusion and oxidation of Ti through the Pt film at high temperature resulted in the formation of TiO2 on the surface of Pt. The results were confirmed by using a comprehensive suite of ex‐situ characterisation techniques to follow changes in the Pt electrode surface morphology and composition before and after immersion in H2O, 0.1 M H2SO4 and 0.1 M KOH solutions under argon. Ex‐situ electrochemical characterisation studies were also conducted to correlate the changes in the electrode surface properties, including the electrochemical surface area, with different annealing conditions and after various hydrothermal treatments in neutral, alkaline and acidic media.

Effect of Sulfurization Temperature on Properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Films and Diffusion of Ti Substrate Elements

The addition of flexible Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin film solar cells to titanium (Ti) substrates is an attractive way to achieve the low-cost manufacturing of photovoltaics. Prior research has indicated that the appropriate diffusion of Ti elements can enhance the crystalline growth of CZTS films. However, the excessive diffusion of Ti has been shown to adversely affect the photovoltaic performance of CZTS photovoltaic devices. Therefore, it is essential to regulate the diffusion of Ti elements within CZTS thin films to optimize their photovoltaic properties. The tendency for Ti substrate elements to diffuse into CZTS films is also influenced by the activation energy associated with these Ti elements. The sulfurization temperature is posited to be a critical factor in modulating the diffusion and activation energy of Ti elements within CZTS thin films. Consequently, this research investigates the alteration of the sulfurization temperature of CZTS thin films in order to enhance the properties of these thin films and to examine the diffusion behavior of titanium elements. The results reveal that as the sulfurization temperature increases, the diffusion of Ti elements within the CZTS thin films initially increases, then decreases, and subsequently increases again. This pattern suggests that the diffusion of Ti elements is affected not only by the activation energy of the Ti elements but also by the defect hopping distance within the CZTS thin films. Notably, at a sulfurization temperature of 550 °C, the grains at the base of the CZTS thin film demonstrate an increased density, which is associated with a reduced defect hopping distance, thereby hindering the diffusion of Ti elements within the CZTS thin films. Furthermore, at this specific sulfurization temperature, the slope of the current–voltage (I–V) curve for the CZTS/Ti structure reaches its maximum, indicating optimal ohmic contact characteristics.

Effect of bell annealing on the interface microstructure and mechanical properties of titanium/steel composite plates prepared by hot rolling

This study investigates the effect of bell annealing (600°C-750°C/3 h-15 h) on the interfacial microstructure and mechanical characteristics of hot-rolled titanium/steel (Ti/steel) bi-metallic plates, aiming to improve their mechanical performance and deformation compatibility. The interfacial bonding mechanism and growth process of the interfacial TiC layer were studied using multi-scale characterization. The microstructural evolution during annealing and the effect of the TiC layer on element interdiffusion were considered. Results show that the TiC interlayer inhibits Ti and Fe diffusion, preventing undesirable Ti-Fe phases, and the TiC layer thickens towards the Ti side. Higher annealing temperatures and longer times worsened the grain size difference between the Ti and steel layers and produced a thick TiC layer, severely degrading deformation compatibility. Microcracks, caused by severe lattice mismatch, are mostly initial at the α-Fe/TiC interface during plastic deformation. Thin to moderate TiC layers resulted in a combination of ductile and brittle fractures, while thick layers led to brittle fractures. In terms of mechanical properties, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), shear strength, and elongation (EL) of the hot-rolled composite plate were measured at 337 MPa, 232 MPa, 238 MPa, and 29%, respectively. All annealed samples exhibited a reduction in UTS, YS, and shear strength compared to the hot-rolled state; however, they demonstrated improved elongation and deformation compatibility, with the elongation achieving its optimal value at 650°C-3 h. The annealing, at 650°C for 3 h, was identified as the optimal condition for post-rolling heat treatment, resulting in a composite plate with a comprehensive mechanical performance characterized by UTS, YS, shear strength, and EL values of 267 MPa, 127 MPa, 171 MPa, and 46%, respectively.

Pt Effect on the Bond-Coating/Superalloy Interdiffusion: Case of a Pt-Modified NiCoCrAlYTa Coating

Heat treatments and oxidation tests were performed on systems composed of a single-crystal AM3 superalloy with a NiCoCrAlYTa+Pt coating to investigate the effect of Pt on Ta and Ti diffusion at high temperature. Experimental results were compared to an AM3 superalloy directly coated with Pt. For all the studied systems, the effect of Pt on elemental activities was evaluated through thermodynamic calculations. Pt diffusion was found to be faster in the NiCoCrAlYTa coating than in AM3. High Ta contents were measured in the Pt-rich γ′ phase below the surface and significant Al and Cr transport toward the surface was observed, in agreement with thermodynamic calculations which predicted an important decrease in their activities in the presence of Pt. An outward diffusion of Ti was also noticed, whereas calculations did not show a decrease in Ti activity due to Pt. Other discrepancies between experiments and thermodynamic calculations were noted and are discussed in this work.

Impact of Glow-Discharge Nitriding Technology on the Properties of 3D-Printed Grade 2 Titanium Alloy.

This study presents a comparative analysis of the corrosion resistance of nitrided layers on conventional Grade 2 titanium alloy and those produced by direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). Low-temperature glow-discharge nitriding of the tested materials was carried out using conventional glow-discharge nitriding (so-called nitriding at the cathode potential-TiN/CP) and with the use of an "active screen" (nitriding at the plasma potential-TiN/PP). The TiN + Ti2N + Ti(N) layers were characterized by their microstructure, nanohardness profile distribution, surface topography, and corrosion resistance. The reduction in the cathodic sputtering phenomenon in the process using the active screen allowed the creation of surface layers that retained the topography of the base material. The parameters of the glow-discharge treatment led to grain growth in the printed substrates. This did not adversely affect corrosion resistance. The corrosion resistance of nitrided layers on the printed titanium alloy is only slightly lower than that of layers on the conventional Grade 2 alloy. Iron precipitates at grain boundaries facilitate increased nitrogen diffusion, resulting in reduced nitrogen concentration in the surface layer, slight changes in corrosion potential values, and increased nitrogen concentration in the Ti(N) diffusion layer.

Wetting behavior of Ti-Ni-xNb filler alloy on (HfTaZrNbTi)C high-entropy carbide ceramic

Exploring the wetting behavior of active filler alloys on high-entropy ceramic is critical to clarifying the solid/liquid interface reaction mechanism and guiding the preparation of high-performance composites. The wetting and spreading behaviors of the molten Ti-Ni-xNb filler alloys, both without and with different Nb concentrations, on (HfTaZrNbTi)C high-entropy carbide (HEC) ceramic were investigated at 1330 °C under a vacuum atmosphere using a sessile drop method. The wetting process of the Ti-Ni-xNb filler alloys was characterized by four distinct stages: (i) adhesion stage, (ii) rapid decreasing stage, (iii) sluggish spreading stage, and (iv) final equilibrium stage. The Ti-Ni-xNb filler alloys all exhibited good wettability on the HEC ceramic, with the final contact angle remaining around 47-48°. The interfacial structure was identified as a sequence of HEC/Ti-based HEC’ diffusion layer/TiCx reaction layer/Ti2Ni layer/alloy droplet in all wetting systems. Notably, the introduced Nb element participated in the interfacial reactions between HEC and the filler alloy, modifying the morphology of the solidified droplet and accelerating the rapidly decreasing stage of the alloys on the ceramic. Nb atoms replaced some of the Ti atoms in the TiCx reaction layer, which restrained the atomic diffusion, leading to the formation of thinner reaction layers. The spreading kinetics were initially governed by interfacial reactions and later by the diffusion of Ti and Ni into the ceramic substrate, exhibiting a transition from reaction-controlled to diffusion-controlled spreading.

Enhancing oxidation resistance via grain boundary engineering in L12-strengthened medium entropy alloys

The concept of grain boundary engineering (GBE) has been successfully applied to L12-strengthened (CoCrNi)94Al3Ti3 medium entropy alloy, with the aim of improving the oxidation resistance by increasing the ratio of special boundaries and suppressing discontinuous precipitation. Surprisingly, our results reveal that GBE treatment not only slows down the oxidation kinetics and but also alters the oxide scale from TiO2 and multi-defect Cr2O3 to continuous and protective Cr2O3 and Al2O3, thereby contributing to an enhanced oxidation and anti-spalling resistance. The GBE treatment reduces the oxidation weight gain of the current alloy from 1.950 mg cm–2 to 1.211 mg cm–2 after 100 h of cyclic oxidation at 800 °C. The findings show that the extensive outward diffusion of Ti accelerates ion transport and promotes microporosity, thus leading to more defects being formed in the oxide film. The GBE treatment suppresses the discontinuous precipitation of the Ti-bearing L12 phase and breaks the random large angular grain boundaries network, inhibiting the diffusion of Ti and ultimately enhancing the oxidation properties of the alloy. The current work provides an idea of oxidation resistance enhancement for Ti-bearing L12-strengthened alloys without changing the alloy composition.

First-principle and experimental investigation into the interfacial characters of Ti-doped ZTA and high chromium cast iron

Ti doping can improve the interfacial wettability and bonding condition between ZTA ceramic and high chromium cast iron (HCCI), but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, the effects of Ti doping on the interfacial characters between ZTA and HCCI were investigated by experiment and first-principles calculations. Results of XRD, SEM, and high-temperature drop test indicate the presence of Ti at the interface and its effect on the formation of interfacial diffusion layer to improve the interface wettability and bonding obviously. The heat of segregation and work of adhesion obtained by first-principle calculations shows that the improvement in interface wettability and bonding is due to the promotion of dopped Ti atoms on the diffusion of Fe, Al, and Zr elements, but not the diffusion of Ti itself. Further investigation from the electronic level reveals that the doped Ti changes the charge distribution and orbital hybridization, and thus makes the formation or enhancement of strong ionic bonds and covalent bonds at the interface, improving the bonding strength and wettability of interfaces in ZTA/HCCI. The findings of this research can offer new insights into the modification of ceramics and enlarge the application of advanced ceramic materials.

Spark plasma sintering of TiC with TiAly as sintering aid: Mechanisms and microstructures

TiC features an interesting combination of mechanical properties, high-temperature resistance, and lightness, making it an excellent candidate for several applications in harsh environments. However, its sintering to obtain bulk components is extremely challenging. Herein, we show that titanium aluminide is a promising sintering aid for TiC (5, 10, and 20 vol% were investigated). The aluminide allows the formation of a nearly fully dense component at 1350 °C by spark plasma sintering under 80 MPa. The aluminide forms a grain boundary secondary phase that promotes the Ti diffusion: Ti from TiC can be dissolved within the TiAly at the neck center and precipitate at the neck surface, while C can easily diffuse through the TiC lattice. Higher temperatures cause the extrusion of the aluminide out of the SPS die and its reaction with oxygen impurities. The final microstructure is constituted by nearly pure TiC with isolated alumina pockets at the triple points.

Precipitation of the gamma prime phase in a Ni-co-based superalloy during different stages of cooling

The cooling precipitation of the gamma primary (γ') phase in a precipitation strengthened Ni-Co-base disk superalloy was investigated by various experimental and analytical methods. The alloy was super-solvus heat treated and then slow cooled to different interrupted temperatures (IT) followed by instant water quenching. It shows that with the IT change, the γ' phase precipitated in different characteristics, such as morphologies, sizes and distributions. Through using three-dimensional atomic probe (3DAP) technique to study the γ and γ' compositions and their interface composition profiles, three types of γ' precipitates, entitled as quenching γ', primary cooling γ' and secondary cooling γ', were identified and their respective precipitation conditions and mechanisms were also discussed. According to the composition gradient across the γ/γ' interfaces and the γ' composition features, the separation mode of these γ' was determined to via the classical nucleation and growth mechanism. In addition, the effects of the γ' forming elements on the nucleation and growth processes of the different generations of γ' were evaluated. It indicates that the diffusion of Ti dominated the primary nucleation while that of Al reigned the following growth and the secondary nucleation.

Microstructure evolution during oxidation of protruded NiCoCrAlYTa-Al2O3 abrasive coating produced by vacuum infiltration sintering

In this paper, protruded NiCoCrAlYTa-Al2O3 abrasive coatings were prepared by vacuum infiltration sintering, and the effect of the filler metal content on the microstructure before and after oxidation is investigated. The results show that, the Al2O3 grits are bonded to the coating matrix by a layer of Y-Al-O compound, and various types of G-phase are presented depending on the locations. Adjacent to the G-phase, larger γ' phase and γ/γ' eutectics are presented due to the expel of Al during the formation of G-phase. With the increase of the filler metal content, G-phase precipitation and the Si penetration depth into the single crystal superalloy substrate increase. After 1000 °C/100 h oxidation, the Y-Al-O intermediate layer between Al2O3 grits and the coating matrix is little changed, with an additional thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer between the Y-Al-O layer and the coating matrix presented. The selective oxidation of Al and Cr facilitates the formation of G-phase layer underneath the oxide film, and the rapid diffusion of Ti and the selective oxidation of Al yields the formation of γ' depletion region adjacent to the G-phase and on coating surface without Al2O3 grits.

Multiple ceramic particles help to improve oxidation resistance of TiAl alloy

A novel microstructural regulation strategy was utilized to improve the oxidation resistance of TiAl alloy by the controllable multiple ceramic particles. TiAl composites were prepared using spark plasma sintering (SPS) by introducing SiC and graphene oxide (GO). TiAl composites showed nearly full lamellar microstructure, and the Ti5Si3 particles in-situ precipitated at the lamellar colony boundaries and Ti2AlC in-situ precipitated at the α2/γ interfaces. Grain refinement of TiAl composite was obvious, displaying a decrease of lamellar colony size from 259 to 81 μm after addition 0.3 wt% SiC and 0.5 wt% GO. The isothermal oxidation results showed that the mass gain of TiAl composite was decreased by 56% compared to TiAl alloy after oxidation at 950 ℃ for 100 h. This was mainly attributed to the in-situ precipitated Ti2AlC and Ti5Si3 ceramic particles inhabiting the interior diffusion of O atoms and the outward diffusion of Ti and Al atoms, then the activity of O and Ti was decreased. Furthermore, the Ti2AlC and Ti5Si3 ceramic particles contributed to release the internal stress between the oxide layer and matrix, strengthening the bondability between the oxide layer and matrix.

Effectiveness of Ti-in-amphibole thermometry and performance of different thermometers across lower continental crust up to UHT metamorphism

Metabasites are important constituents of deep crustal sections and are the favored rock type for studying lower crustal amphibolite to granulite transitions. However, metapelites may develop a larger number of temperature-sensitive mineral assemblages and are particular useful when extreme ultrahigh temperature (UHT) conditions are envisaged. A recent calibration of the Ti-in-amphibole thermometer by Liao et al. (2021) was supposed to make thermometry on metabasites quick and easy to apply. However, their calibration is based on experiments which were not originally designed to investigate in detail the temperature dependence of Ti in amphibole. In addition, a possible effect of aTiO2 and/or pressure on the Ti content of amphibole was not fully taken into account. This resulted in a calibration uncertainty of ± 70 °C (2σ), much higher than that of other single-mineral thermometers. In this study we firstly test the newly calibrated Ti-in-amphibole thermometer across the mid to lower crustal section of the Ivrea–Verbano Zone (IVZ; NW Italy) and compare the performance of different thermometric techniques across the sequence. Ti-in-amphibole thermometry records increasing peak temperatures from amphibolite (600–700 °C), transition (750–800 °C) and granulite (850–950 °C) zones. Titanium content of amphibole may be modified by retrograde fluid influx returning temperatures c. 200–300 °C lower than in non-altered domains. The comparison reveals that Zr-in-rutile thermometer in pelitic granulites seems to be more prone to post-peak resetting than the Ti-in-amphibole thermometry in nearby mafic rocks. This behavior is also confirmed by amphibole analyses from other UHT localities, where the performance of Ti-in-amphibole thermometry is comparable with that of Al-in-orthopyroxene in pelitic granulites. However, Ti-in-amphibole temperatures are underestimated in rutile-bearing samples and this limitation is not solely restricted to rocks containing high H2O contents as previously thought. Derived constraints on the diffusivity of Ti through amphibole demonstrate the robustness of the Ti-in-amphibole thermometer to later thermal disturbances. However, ad-hoc experiments are still necessary to improve the accuracy and precision of calibration and to extend its applicability. This advance will make mafic granulites routine targets for studies devoted to understanding the regional extent of UHT metamorphism.

Microstructure Evolution and Homogenization Kinetics of 15Cr–30Ni–Fe Heat‐Resistant Alloy

The as‐cast microstructure, microsegregation of alloying elements, and microstructure evolution during homogenization of the newly designed 15Cr–30Ni–Fe heat‐resistant alloy are studied. Ti, Nb, Si, and Mo segregate at the interdendritic region. The brittle eutectic Laves phase contains Fe, Ti, Ni, Nb, Si, and Mo, which is identified as the Fe2Ti Laves phase. The activation energy for the Fe2Ti Laves phase dissolution is close to the activation energy for Ti diffusion in the γ matrix based on the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov analysis. The back‐diffusion of Ti to the γ matrix is the limiting step for the dissolution of Fe2Ti Laves phase. The kinetic equation of homogenization considering lattice parameters and pre‐exponential factor correction is established. After the double‐stage homogenization at 980 °C/10 h + 1140 °C/4 h, the volume fraction of the Laves phase decreases from 5.11% to 0.26%, and the large eutectic Laves phase is completely dissolved. The reduction in the standard deviation of microhardness at different soaking times effectively reflects the gradual decrease in the degree of microsegregation of alloying elements. The average grain size of the alloy after homogenization is 410 ± 63.1 μm, which is beneficial to control the further refinement of grain during the subsequent hot working.

Effect of Nb interlayer thickness on interfacial products and mechanical properties of Ti–6Al–4V/EH690 steel clad plate by vacuum hot rolling

The high content of alloying elements in Ti alloys and high-strength steels, combined with the requirement for quenching and tempering heat treatment during the fabrication process of the clad plate, leads to complex interfacial products and poor bonding properties. An Nb interlayer was introduced to enhance the mechanical properties of Ti alloy/steel clad plates. This work investigated the effect of Nb interlayers with initial thicknesses of 10, 25, and 50 μm on the evolution of interfacial products and bonding properties. The results indicated that when the interlayer was thin (10 μm thick), the diffusion of Ti, Fe, and C in the matrix and clad materials could not be completely inhibited due to the uneven distribution of the Nb interlayer at the interface. TiC, NbC, Nb2C, and Fe2Nb were detected at the Nb/steel interface. With the thickness of the interlayer increased (reaching 25 μm or 50 μm), the influence of uneven deformation on the interlayer was weakened, and the Nb/steel interface was composed of Nb2C and Fe2Nb. The tensile shear test indicated that the fracture occurred at the Nb/steel interface and the Nb interlayer. The plasticity of the micrometer Nb interlayer decreased with the increase in interlayer thickness. Therefore, more cracks and brittle fracture characteristics were observed in the fracture surface of the 50 μm thick Nb interlayer sample. The clad interface with a 25 μm thick Nb interlayer exhibited the highest interfacial shear strength of 295 MPa due to the few intermetallic compounds (IMCs) at the Nb/Steel interface and the excellent plasticity of the Nb interlayer.

Effects of Interlayer on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Resistance Spot Welded Titanium/Steel Joints: A Short Review

In this paper, the influence of interlayer on titanium/steel dissimilar metal resistance spot welding is reviewed from the aspects of macroscopic characteristics, microstructure and interface bonding properties of the joint. Previous studies have demonstrated that TiC, FeTi and Fe2Ti intermetallic compounds with high brittleness are formed in the joint during titanium/steel welding, which reduces the strength of the welded joint. Researchers proposed different interlayer materials, including Cu, Ni, Nb, Ta, 60%Ni-Cu alloy and BAg45CuZn. Firstly, adding an interlayer can weaken the diffusion of Fe and Ti. Secondly, the interlayer elements can combine with Fe or Ti to form solid solutions or intermetallic compounds with lower brittleness than Fe–Ti compounds. Finally, Cu, Ni, Ag, etc. with excellent ductility can effectively decrease the generation of internal stress, which reduces the formation of defects to improve the strength of the joint.

Growth kinetics of intermetallic compounds in Cu–Ti diffusion couples

Cu–Ti diffusion couples have been designed in the temperature range from 1013 K to 1163 K. Ensuing intermetallic compounds, including Cu4Ti, Cu4Ti3, CuTi, and the elusive CuTi2, have been identified in the diffusion zone. Growth kinetics and interdiffusion coefficients of involved Cu–Ti intermetallics have been quantified based on the measured compositional profiles using electro-probe microanalyzer. Moreover, activation energies required for the growth of these intermetallics have been confirmed to be 85.9 kJ mol−1 atom (Cu4Ti), 101.0 kJ mol−1 atom (Cu4Ti3), 70.0 kJ mol−1 atom (CuTi), and 64.9 kJ mol−1 atom (CuTi2), respectively. Our current findings could enable a rational design towards fully utilizing encrypted phases which are otherwise difficult to obtain.

Effect of Temperature, Vacuum Condition and Surface Roughness on Oxygen Boost Diffusion of Ti–6Al–4V Alloy

Oxygen boost diffusion (OBD) is an effective technology for improving the surface hardness of titanium and its alloys. In this present paper, the effect of temperature, vacuum condition and surface roughness on oxygen boost diffusion of Ti–6Al–4V alloy are studied. Test results show that OBD processing can be achieved at a low temperature and over long times, as well as at a high temperature and over short times. By comparing processing efficiency and mechanical properties, high temperatures and short times are preferred for OBD treatment. The influence of vacuum conditions on oxygen vacuum diffusion is significant. Under low vacuum degree conditions, relatively high oxygen content not only corrodes the OBD layer but also leads to spalling of the outmost surface of the OBD layer and the remaining oxide layer. High surface roughness can induce cracking not only in the oxide layer during the oxidation process but also in the outmost surface of the OBD layer during the vacuum diffusion process.

Novel interface characteristics and strengthening mechanisms in extruded fiber(Ti)-reinforced Al-based composites

Tailoring Al/Ti composites with high toughness and tensile plasticity requires a comprehensive understanding of multi-scale interface microstructures and element diffusion behaviors. In this study, Al/Ti composites are produced by a novel continuous extrusion technique. Interfacial microstructures, elemental diffusion, and mechanical characteristics are systematically investigated using up-to-date electron microscope technology. The interlayer thickness grows from 0.8 to 4.2 µm when the annealing duration is increased from 6 to 48 h. The interlayer growth behavior exhibits a mixed reaction–diffusion process and is dominated by the interfacial chemical reaction. Elements Si and Mg are aggregated at the Ti/TiAl3 and Al/TiAl3 heterogeneous interfaces, respectively, where the diffusion of Al and Ti is inhibited. A gradient structure at the interface is generated via severe thermal and mechanical effects during extrusion, including fine Ti grains, superfine Al grains, and coarse Al grains. Deformation-induced dislocations and nanograins are observed near the welding interface. Micro-scale interlocking and nano-scale intermixing structures are formed under strong welding pressure. Compared with the conventional Al bar, the ultimate tensile strength and plasticity of the extruded composite Al bar are enhanced by 5.7% and 32.2%, respectively. This work provides new strategies for developing Al/Ti composites with exceptional strength and ductility.