Composite Material with a Ti–Al–Nb Matrix Reinforced with Sapphire Fibers

The structure of a layered composite material with a Ti–Al–Nb matrix reinforced with sapphire fibers is studied. The composite material is fabricated by pressure diffusion welding of a multilayer package of alternating titanium and aluminum foils and unidirectional sapphire fibers, the gaps between which are filled with a suspension of a niobium powder in polyethylene glycol. The strength of the composite prototype in a three-point bending test is 460 MPa at 20°C and 140 MPa at 1100°C. Stress–strain curves and developed fracture surfaces indicate a nonbrittle character of fracture of the composite structure containing brittle components.