On the microstructural evolution and phase transformations in a high niobium containing γ-TiAl alloy

This paper summarizes our recent work on microstructure evolution and phase transformations in a high Nb containing γ-TiAl alloy with a low Al content. The microstructures of a Ti-42Al-8.5Nb-0.5(W,Si,B,Y) alloy (composition in at.%) in the as-cast condition and after various heat treatments have been examined by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Analysis of the alloy in the as-cast condition reveals the existence of a very fine lamellar microstructure (the colony grain size is about 40 μm and the lamellar spacing within the colonies is about 65 nm) with B2(β) phase along colony grain boundaries. Additionally, a B2 (β) → ω phase transformation has been observed. The microstructure of the cast alloy shows evidence of the following solidification and transformation pathway: L → L + α → L + α + β → α + β + γ → lamellar (α + γ) + B2 (β) + γ → lamellar (α2 + γ) + B2 (β)/ω + γ. After annealing for 2 h from 1250 C to 1450 C, which corresponds to heat treatments within the (β + α) and β phase fields as well as different cooling conditions, the colony size does not increase dramatically, and the lamellar spacing keeps fine upon air cooling or furnace cooling (lamellar spacing ∼ 120 nm). Additionally, the microstructure of the as-cast alloy is stable during long time aging at 900 C, and the colony size does not change remarkably during long time annealing at 1150 C. These results indicate that the material has a small tendency to grain growth, which is attributed to the high Nb content as well as complex alloying effects of W, Y, Si, and B. (orig.)