Journalpaper

Sintering Behavior and Microstructure Formation of Titanium Aluminide Alloys Processed by Metal Injection Molding

Abstract

The sintering behavior of metal injection molded titanium aluminide alloys, their microstructure formation and resulting mechanical properties were investigated. As reference material, the alloy Ti-45Al-5Nb-0.2B-0.2C at.% (TNB-V5) was selected. Additionally, two other variations with Mo and Mo + Si additions were prepared: Ti-45Al-3Nb-1Mo-0.2B-0.2C at.% and Ti-45Al-3Nb-1Mo-1Si-0.2B-0.2C at.%. The results indicate that the optimum sintering temperature was slightly above the solidus line. With proper sintering parameters, very low porosities (<0.5%) and fine microstructures with a colony size <85 µm could be achieved. Considering the sintering temperatures applied, the phase transformations upon cooling could be described as L + β → β → α + β → α → α + γ → α2 + γ, which was in agreement with the microstructures observed. The effects of Mo and Si were opposite regarding the sintering behavior. Mo addition led to an increase in the optimum sintering temperature, whereas Si caused a significant decrease.
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