Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of In-situ Synthesized Al2O3/TiAl Composites

Al2O3 particle-reinforced TiAl composites are successfully reaction-synthesized from the powder mixture of Ti, Al, TiO2, and Nb2O5, using the hot pressing reaction synthesis technique. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-sintered products are investigated. It is found that in the as-sintered products consisting of gamma-TiAl, alpha 2-Ti3Al, Al2O3, and NbAl3 phases, the fine Al2O3 particles tend to disperse on the grain boundaries. With the Nb2O5 content increasing, the grains are remarkably refined and the Al2O3 particles are dispersing more uniformly in the TiAl matrix, forming a partial lamellar structure containing gamma and lamellar phases. The hardness of the in-situ composites increases gradually, and the bending strength and the fracture toughness of the as-sintered products reach the maximum value of 398.5 MPa and 6.99 MPa.ml(1/2), respectively, as the Nb2O5 content increases to 6 wt%.