Impact of titanium content on the thermo-mechanical and oxidation response of TiAlTa

This study aimed to analyze how the addition of titanium (Ti) to TiAlTa alloys affects their mechanical properties (Young's modulus and hardness) and oxidation behavior. Alloys with three different Ti additions and equiatomic Al and Ta were fabricated with nominal compositions of 33Ti-33Al-33Ta at%, 50Ti-25Al-25Ta at%, and 70Ti-15Al-15Ta at%. Phase identification of as-processed and compositionally homogenized alloys was conducted by coupling various electron microscopy, diffraction, and chemical analysis techniques. Composition and structures were modeled using CALPHAD-based phase predictions and compared with experimental results. Each of the alloys exhibited a unique set of microstructures with distinctly different ordered precipitates, dependent on cooling rate and chemical composition. Subsequently, nanoindentation tests were performed at temperatures of 25 degrees C, 250 degrees C, 500 degrees C, and 750 degrees C. Oxidation studies were conducted under static air at 750 degrees C for up to 200 h. 33Ti-33Al-33Ta at% and 70Ti-15Al-15Ta at% alloys showed higher hardness and modulus than 50Ti-25Al-25Ta at% at room temperature. The 50Ti-25Al-25Ta at% alloy exhibited higher hardness and modulus values but lower oxidation resistance at 750 degrees C when compared with the other specimens. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments were conducted to further analyze the oxides present in the samples. Despite each sample displaying combinations of mixed oxide layers, TiO2 was the preferred oxide forming in the 50Ti25Al-25Ta composition, while the other samples preferred to form Al2O3. The findings from this systematic exploration of phase evolution in the TiAlTa alloy space provide insights for optimized material chemistries, processing, and properties.