Synthesis of a TiBw/Ti6Al4V composite by powder compact extrusion using a blended powder mixture

Highlights: • TiB/Ti6Al4V composites were prepared from extruded BE powders. • Different starting powders affected the morphologies of TiB whiskers formed in-situ. • A TiB/Ti6Al4V composite with TiB whiskers had good strength and ductility. • The strength and ductility achieved were superior to those obtained by other methods. - Abstract: A Ti–6 wt%Al–4 wt%V alloy (Ti6Al4V) matrix composite, reinforced by in situ synthesized TiB whiskers (TiBw) has been successfully fabricated by powder compact extrusion using a blended powder mixture. The microstructural characterization of the various extruded samples showed that the different starting powders, pre-alloyed powder plus boron powder or titanium plus Al–40V master alloy powder plus boron powder, had a significant effect on the morphology of the in situ synthesized TiB whiskers. It is also evident that the TiB whiskers affect the microstructural evolution of the Ti6Al4V matrix. The tensile test results indicated that the composite with a dispersion of fine TiB whiskers with high aspect ratios exhibited a high ultimate tensile stress (UTS) and yield stress (YS) of 1436 MPa and 1361 MPa, respectively, a reasonably good tensile ductility reflected by an elongation to fracture of 5.6% was also achieved. This is a significant improvement compared with as-extruded monolithic Ti6Al4V alloy produced in this study