Conventional and micro - XRD study of a new ternary zirconium, titanium, aluminum alloy - Zr2TiAI

Zr3Al is a cubic intermetallic compound whereas Ti3AI has a hexagonal structure. Crystallography and microstructure study of an alloy containing all three components is, therefore, interesting to study. A nominal Zr2TiAi alloy was prepared by arc melting and subsequently vacuum annealing at 1050 deg C for 30 days. Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive Spectrometry showed three phases in the material. Among the three phases the major phase was the stoichiometric alloy Zr2TiAI. Of the two minor phases present in the specimen, one was rich in Ti and the other rich in AI. In an SEM micrograph the major phase grains varied in size from 10 μm to 50 μm. Conventional XRD shows peaks due to all three phases with considerable proximity and overlap. In order to identify peaks due to individual phases micro-beam XRD was carried out and the major phase was identified. (author)