Mechanical properties of TiB particulate reinforced Ti_{2A1Nb intermetallics produced by prealloyed powder metallurgy method

Ti2A1Nb intermetallics, based on the orthorhombic (O) phase, have a higher strength-to-density ratio and better high-temperature ductility than conventional titanium aluminides, such as TiAI and Ti33A1. In this study, TiB particulate-reinforced Ti2A1Nb intermetallic alloy was prepared using the prealloyed powder metallurgy method. Ti-23.5A1-25.3Nb (mol%) spherical powder (under 150 µm) with 6.5mass% TiB particulate was produced by the Ar gas atomizing process. The powder was poured into a steel can until full, compacted by hot isostatic pressing (HIP), rolled into a bar and heat-treated. Microstructural observation, high-temperature tensile testing and creep testing were performed, and the results were compared to those of an unreinforced matrix.