Effect of Hot Rolling on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ti 3 Al Based Dual Phase Alloys

Development of α 2 -Ti 3 Al based dual phase alloys have shown some promising potentials in property improvement by introducing Ti 5 Si 3 sulicide phase into the matrix via Si alloying. However, the presence of coarse network of Ti 5 Si 3 phase formed by eutectic reaction in the as-cast state also embrittles the alloy. Both hot rolling and powder metallurgy are considered to be the possible ways to refine the Ti 5 Si 3 phase in the matrix. Two Ti-Al-Si-Nb alloys whose Si contents are 2 and 5 at. % respectively were arc melted into ingots and then hot rolled to sheets in this investigation. Optical metallographic examination correlates the microstructures of the as-cast and as-rolled alloys with the different rolling amounts, showing that the coarse silicide network is broken into small particles after hot rolling. Mechanical property testing from room temperature to 8000°C indicates that the strength and plastic elongation of the hot-rolled alloys are much higher than those of the as-cast ones. The data obtained in this investigation are comparable with those obtained in the P/M processed specimens. Fracture surfaces of the alloys are also examined.