Phase stability, deformation mechanisms, and mechanical properties of Nb-Al-Ti alloys

The phase stability, deformation mechanisms and mechanical properties of two alloys based on Nb3Al containing additions of Ti have been studied. These two alloys, with nominal compositions (in at.%) of Nb-15Al-10Ti (alloy 1) and Nb-15Al-40Ti (alloy 2), have the B2 crystal structure in as cast form. The ALCHEMI technique has been employed to assess qualitatively the distribution of atom types over the two sublattices of the B2 compounds. It is found that Ti and Al occupy different sublattices in alloy 2. Heat-treatment of alloy 1 at 1,100 C results in the precipitation of an A15 phase in the B2 matrix. Annealing at 900 C for short time introduces an w-phase. Prolonged annealing of alloy 1 at 700 C reveals the presence of an orthorhombic phase. The same orthorhombic phase is also found to exist between 800 and 1,000 C in alloy 2. Specific orientation relationships exist between the matrix phase and precipitates. The yield strength in compression of Alloy 1 and 2 were determined at various temperatures. Alloy 1 is strong compared to superalloy IN 718 over a range of temperatures up to 950 C. Both alloys with the B2 crystal structure are deformed by one or more of the following slip systems, namely <111>(110), <111>(112) and <111>(123). Dislocations with Burgers vector, b, given by b=<111> are present in the form of dissociated superpartial pairs, each with b=1/2<111>. The inherent ductility of both alloys is indicated by the active slip systems and illustrated by 20% elongation to failure obtained in alloy 2 under room temperature tensile test. A trend of increasing tensile yield stress with increasing antiphase domain size was found. No evidence of interaction between dislocations and antiphase boundaries has been found to account for this increase of strength