Diffusion bonding of TiC or TiB reinforced Ti–6Al–4V matrix composites to conventional Ti–6Al–4V alloy

The diffusion bonding of conventional alloy Ti–6Al–4V (Ti-64) and composites of this alloy with 10% of TiC or TiB fabricated using blended elemental powder metallurgy was successfully carried out at 850–1000°C, with a holding time of 60 min under 0.7–1.5 MPa pressure. The metallographic and electron backscattered diffraction studies as well as the bending and microhardness tests across the bonds are presented as the evidence of joint integrity. The selected experimental parameters do not cause undesirable structural changes (degradation) in the base metals adjacent to the bond interface. Particle reinforcement at ∼10% did not appear to modify bonding parameters when compared to the unreinforced Ti-64 alloy.