Fabrication and mechanical properties of network structured titanium alloy matrix composites reinforced with Ti2AlC particulates

Network structured Ti-6.5Al-2Zr-1Mo-1V (TA15) matrix composites reinforced with Ti2AlC particles were fabricated by low energy ball milling and subsequent spark plasma sintering (SPS). Microstructures, mechanical properties, and wear resistance properties of the composites were evaluated as a function of Ti2AlC weight fraction. Experimental results showed that the fine Ti2AlC powders were adhered on the surface of the spherical TA15 powders after low-energy milling process and Widmanstatten alpha+beta microstructure with a network architecture was formed after SPS. The Ti2AlC reinforcements were reacted with Ti matrix and formed a Ti3AlC phase at the interface. The hardness, tensile, and compressive strength of the TA15/Ti3AlC composites show significant improvement with less ductility loss. The TA15/1.0 wt% Ti2AlC exhibited tensile yield strength of 929 MPa and ultimate tensile strength of 1013 MPa with ductility of 13.06%. The TA15/Ti3AlC composites had a lower friction coefficient and decreased wear rate with delamination and abrasive wear modes.