Microstructure and mechanical properties of the intermetallic alloy Ti-45Al-6(Nb, Mo)-0.2B

The microstructure and tensile properties of the intermetallic γ-TiAl + α₂-Ti₃Al alloy Ti-45Al-6(Nb, Mo)-0.2B are studied after various heat and thermomechanical treatments. Its cast state is found to be characterized by a homogeneous, relatively fine-grained structure in the cases of both a model 30-g ingot and a bulk laboratory Φ120 × 180-mm ingot. The cast material subjected to heat treatment with furnace cooling and aging at T = 1100°C exhibits strength properties at T = 20-900°C that are relatively high for cast γ + α₂ alloys. Due to the rational choice of the alloy, its thermomechanical treatment is facilitated, a fine-grained structure can easily be formed upon hot deformation, and a superplastic state with elongations in the test-temperature range T = 900-1000°C that are very large for γ + α₂ alloys is reached. However, the high contents of niobium and molybdenum in the Ti-45Al-6(Nb, Mo)-0.2B alloy hinder the formation of an equilibrium lamellar structure upon heat treatment, and an increase in the aging temperature to T = 1100°C leads to the development of the α₂ → ß(B2) phase transformation, which makes it impossible to reach a high level of the mechanical properties in the temperature range of the potential application of γ + α₂ alloys. Our study has revealed that the compositions of the γ + α₂ alloys need further optimization of the way of refining the niobium and molybdenum contents.