Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High Relative Density Ti-48Al-1Fe Alloy Using Irregular Blend Powder

Conventional pressing and sintering methods provide difficulties in achieving high density for PM TiAl alloys. The Ti-48Al-1Fe alloy was prepared via vacuum pressure-less sintering, and the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties during the sintering densification process of the mixed powder system were investigated. The results shows that the density of the mixed powder reached 98.3 +/- 0.14% after pressure-less sintering for 3 hours under high vacuum conditions at 1300 degrees C. The microstructure of the as-sintered alloy is a fine duplex structure composed of alpha 2/gamma lamellar colonies and the composite structure. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the as-sintered alloy at room temperature is 315 MPa. The density of the as-sintered alloy reach more than 99.9% after non-capsule hot isostatic pressing (HIP). The as-HIPed alloy exhibits an UTS of 332 MPa at room temperature. At high temperatures, it maintains high strength, with an UTS of 408 MPa and yield strength of 386 MPa at 900 degrees C, which is comparable to that of forged TiAl alloy. Furthermore, the elongation of the sample at 900 degrees C is 20.0%. This process offers a novel method for sintering PM TiAl with high density and mechanical properties at a low cost and near-net shape.