Precipitation, recovery, phase transition and recrystallization processes of massively transformed TiAI scrutinized by ex- and in-situ high-energy X-ray diffraction

Abstract

High-energy synchrotron radiation above 100 keV is a novel and sophisticated probe to access the volume properties of materials. A Debye-Scherrer method is shortly presented for the measurements of textures, strain and composition. Low density, high specific yield strength, good oxidation resistance and good creep properties at elevated temperatures make intermetallic γ-TiAl-based alloys top candidates as structural materials for advanced jet and automotive engines as well as for future hypersonic vehicles. The mechanical properties depend strongly on composition, thermo mechanical processing and subsequent heat treatments. The present study examines the recrystallization processes of a massively transformed specimen of Ti45AI46Nb9 upon a heat ramp from room temperature to 1400 deg C. The registered Debye-Scherrer rings are rich of features relating to thermal expansion, phase changes, domain and phase coherences, chemical separation and much more which will be regarded in detail.