Role of Ti3AlC2 MAX phase on characteristics of in-situ synthesized TiAl intermetallics. Part IV: mechanical properties

  • Maryam Akhlaghi 1
  • Esmaeil Salahi 2
  • Seyed Ali Tayebifard 1
  • Gert Schmidt 3
  • 1 Semiconductors Department, Materials and Energy Research Center (MERC), Karaj, Iran
  • 2 Ceramics Department, Materials and Energy Research Center (MERC), Karaj, Iran
  • 3 Faculty of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering, TU Bergakademie, Freiberg, Germany

Abstract

In this study, the 4th part of a series of publications on the sintering and characterization of TiAl-Ti3AlC2 composite materials, the mechanical properties were measured and discussed. For this purpose, different contents of synthesized Ti3AlC2 reinforcement (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt%) were added to metallic Ti and Al powders, then ball-milled and manufactured by spark plasma sintering (SPS) for 420 s at 900 °C under 40 MPa. Flexural strength, fracture toughness and Vickers hardness were measured by 3-point technique, SENB method, and indentation technique, respectively. Increasing the Ti3AlC2 content resulted in improvement of the mechanical properties, so that TiAl-25 wt% Ti3AlC2 composite showed the best flexural strength and Vickers hardness (270 MPa and 4.11 GPa, respectively). Increasing amount of Ti3AlC additive had no significant effect on fracture toughness. Densification improvement, in-situ formation of Ti2AlC, and limitation of grain growth were recognized as the reasons of mechanical properties enhancement. In contrast, further addition of Ti3AlC2 (30 wt%) decreased the mechanical properties due to the reduction of density and formation of more Ti2AlC agglomerates in grain boundaries.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Keywords: SPS, TiAl-Ti3AlC2, Flexural strength, Hardness, Fracture toughness

References

[1] H.P. Lim, W.Y.H. Liew, G.J.H. Melvin, Z.-T. Jiang, A Short Review on the Phase Structures, Oxidation Kinetics, and Mechanical Properties of Complex Ti-Al Alloys, Materials (Basel). 14 (2021) 1677. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14071677.
[2] H. Huang, H. Ding, X. Xu, R. Chen, J. Guo, H. Fu, Phase transformation and microstructure evolution of a beta-solidified gamma-TiAl alloy, J. Alloys Compd. 860 (2021) 158082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2020.158082.
[3] Y. Jiang, Y. He, H. Gao, Recent progress in porous intermetallics: Synthesis mechanism, pore structure, and material properties, J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 74 (2021) 89–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2020.10.007.
[4] Z. Trzaska, G. Bonnefont, G. Fantozzi, J.-P. Monchoux, Comparison of densification kinetics of a TiAl powder by spark plasma sintering and hot pressing, Acta Mater. 135 (2017) 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2017.06.004.
[5] G.H. Cao, A.M. Russell, C.-G. Oertel, W. Skrotzki, Microstructural evolution of TiAl-based alloys deformed by high-pressure torsion, Acta Mater. 98 (2015) 103–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2015.07.012.
[6] C.Y. Teng, N. Zhou, Y. Wang, D.S. Xu, A. Du, et al., Phase-field simulation of twin boundary fractions in fully lamellar TiAl alloys, Acta Mater. 60 (2012) 6372–6381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2012.08.016.
[7] J. Shen, L. Hu, L. Zhang, W. Liu, A. Fang, Y. Sun, Synthesis of TiAl/Nb composites with concurrently enhanced strength and plasticity by powder metallurgy, Mater. Sci. Eng. A. 795 (2020) 139997. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2020.139997.
[8] Y. Garip, Investigation of isothermal oxidation performance of TiAl alloys sintered by different processing methods, Intermetallics. 127 (2020) 106985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intermet.2020.106985.
[9] L. Xiang, F. Wang, J. Zhu, X. Wang, Mechanical properties and microstructure of Al2O3/TiAl in situ composites doped with Cr2O3, Mater. Sci. Eng. A. 528 (2011) 3337–3341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2011.01.006.
[10] H.P. Qu, P. Li, S.Q. Zhang, A. Li, H.M. Wang, The effects of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical property of laser melting deposition γ-TiAl intermetallic alloys, Mater. Des. 31 (2010) 2201–2210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2009.10.045.
[11] H. Clemens, A. Bartels, S. Bystrzanowski, H. Chladil, H. Leitner, et al., Grain refinement in γ-TiAl-based alloys by solid state phase transformations, Intermetallics. 14 (2006) 1380–1385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intermet.2005.11.015.
[12] S. Shu, B. Xing, F. Qiu, S. Jin, Q. Jiang, Comparative study of the compression properties of TiAl matrix composites reinforced with nano-TiB2 and nano-Ti5Si3 particles, Mater. Sci. Eng. A. 560 (2013) 596–600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2012.10.001.
[13] D. Zhu, L. Liu, D. Dong, X. Wang, Y. Liu, et al., Microstructure and compression behavior of in-situ synthesized Ti2AlC reinforced Ti-48Al-2Cr alloy with carbon nanotubes addition, J. Alloys Compd. 862 (2021) 158646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2021.158646.
[14] S. Haji Amiri, M. Ghassemi Kakroudi, T. Rabizadeh, M. Shahedi Asl, Characterization of hot-pressed Ti3SiC2–SiC composites, Int. J. Refract. Met. Hard Mater. 90 (2020) 105232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2020.105232.
[15] J. Lyu, E.B. Kashkarov, N. Travitzky, M.S. Syrtanov, A.M. Lider, Sintering of MAX-phase materials by spark plasma and other methods, J. Mater. Sci. 56 (2021) 1980–2015. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-020-05359-y.
[16] S.H. Amiri, M.G. Kakroudi, N.P. Vafa, M.S. Asl, Synthesis and Sintering of Ti3SiC2–SiC Composites through Reactive Hot-Pressing of TiC and Si Precursors, Silicon. 14 (2022) 4227–4235. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-021-01207-z.
[17] S. Haji Amiri, N. Pourmohammadie Vafa, Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti3SiC2 MAX phases sintered by hot pressing, Synth. Sinter. 1 (2021) 216–222. https://doi.org/10.53063/synsint.2021.1472.
[18] C.-h. Yang, F. Wang, T.-t. Ai, J.-f. Zhu, Microstructure and mechanical properties of in situ TiAl/Ti2AlC composites prepared by reactive hot pressing, Ceram. Int. 40 (2014) 8165–8171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2014.01.012.
[19] B. Mei, Y. Miyamoto, Investigation of TiAl/Ti2AlC composites prepared by spark plasma sintering, Mater. Chem. Phys. 75 (2002) 291–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0254-0584(02)00078-0.
[20] F. Yang, F.T. Kong, Y.Y. Chen, S.L. Xiao, Effect of spark plasma sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a Ti2AlC/TiAl composite, J. Alloys Compd. 496 (2010) 462–466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2010.02.077.
[21] T.A. Otitoju, P.U. Okoye, G. Chen, Y. Li, M.O. Okoye, S. Li, Advanced ceramic components: Materials, fabrication, and applications, J. Ind. Eng. Chem. 85 (2020) 34–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiec.2020.02.002.
[22] J. Venezuela, M.S. Dargusch, The influence of alloying and fabrication techniques on the mechanical properties, biodegradability and biocompatibility of zinc: A comprehensive review, Acta Biomater. 87 (2019) 1–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2019.01.035.
[23] N.F. Mogale, W.R. Matizamhuka, Spark Plasma Sintering of Titanium Aluminides: A Progress Review on Processing, Structure-Property Relations, Alloy Development and Challenges, Metals (Basel). 10 (2020) 1080. https://doi.org/10.3390/met10081080.
[24] L. Čelko, M. Menelaou, M. Casas-Luna, M. Horynová, T. Musálek,et al., Spark Plasma Extrusion and the Thermal Barrier Concept, Metall. Mater. Trans. B. 50 (2019) 656–665. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-018-1493-3.
[25] M. Akhlaghi, E. Salahi, S.A. Tayebifard, G. Schmidt, Role of Ti3AlC2 MAX phase on characteristics of in-situ synthesized TiAl intermetallics. Part I: sintering and densification, Synth. Sinter. 1 (2021) 169–175. https://doi.org/10.53063/synsint.2021.1347.
[26] M. Akhlaghi, E. Salahi, S.A. Tayebifard, G. Schmidt, Role of Ti3AlC2 MAX phase on characteristics of in-situ synthesized TiAl intermetallics. Part II: Phase evolution, Synth. Sinter. 1 (2021) 211–216. https://doi.org/10.53063/synsint.2021.1453.
[27] M. Akhlaghi, E. Salahi, S.A. Tayebifard, G. Schmidt, Role of Ti3AlC2 MAX phase on characteristics of in-situ synthesized TiAl intermetallics. Part III: microstructure, Synth. Sinter. 2 (2022) 20–25. https://doi.org/10.53063/synsint.2022.2182.
[28] M. Akhlaghi, S.A. Tayebifard, E. Salahi, M. Shahedi Asl, G. Schmidt, Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of Ti3AlC2 MAX phase from mechanically-activated Ti/Al/graphite powder mixture, Ceram. Int. 44 (2018) 9671–9678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.02.195.
[29] Y. Liu, W. Zhang, Y. Peng, G. Fan, B. Liu, Effects of TiAl Alloy as a Binder on Cubic Boron Nitride Composites, Materials (Basel). 14 (2021) 6335. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14216335.
[30] L. Rangaraj, V. Kashimatt, Pooja, B. Suresha, Reaction, densification and mechanical properties of Ti 2 AlC x ceramics at low applied pressure and temperature, Int. J. Appl. Ceram. Technol. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1111/ijac.14064.
[31] J. Wang, N. Zhao, P. Nash, E. Liu, C. He, et al., In situ synthesis of Ti2AlC–Al2O3/TiAl composite by vacuum sintering mechanically alloyed TiAl powder coated with CNTs, J. Alloys Compd. 578 (2013) 481–487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2013.06.109.
[32] M. Liu, J. Chen, H. Cui, X. Sun, S. Liu, M. Xie, Ag/Ti3AlC2 composites with high hardness, high strength and high conductivity, Mater. Lett. 213 (2018) 269–273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2017.11.038.
[33] Y. Wang, M. Yao, Z. Hu, H. Li, J.-H. Ouyang, et al., Microstructure and mechanical properties of TiB2-40 wt% TiC composites: Effects of adding a low-temperature hold prior to sintering at high temperatures, Ceram. Int. 44 (2018) 23297–23300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.09.048.
[34] C.L. Yeh, C.Y. Ke, Y.C. Chen, In situ formation of TiB2/TiC and TiB2/TiN reinforced NiAl by self-propagating combustion synthesis, Vacuum. 151 (2018) 185–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vacuum.2018.02.024.
[35] Z. Aygüzer Yaşar, A.M. Celik, R.A. Haber, Improving fracture toughness of B4C – SiC composites by TiB2 addition, Int. J. Refract. Met. Hard Mater. 108 (2022) 105930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2022.105930.
[36] Y. Liu, Z. Li, Y. Peng, Y. Huang, Z. Huang, D. Zhang, Effect of sintering temperature and TiB2 content on the grain size of B4C-TiB2 composites, Mater. Today Commun. 23 (2020) 100875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2019.100875.

Cited By

Crossref Google Scholar
Role of Ti3AlC2 MAX phase on characteristics of in-situ synthesized TiAl intermetallics. Part IV: mechanical properties
Submitted
2022-01-24
Available online
2022-06-29
How to Cite
Akhlaghi, M., Salahi, E., Tayebifard, S. A., & Schmidt, G. (2022). Role of Ti3AlC2 MAX phase on characteristics of in-situ synthesized TiAl intermetallics. Part IV: mechanical properties. Synthesis and Sintering, 2(2), 99-104. https://doi.org/10.53063/synsint.2022.22103