Influence of N and Fe on α-Ti precipitation in the in situ TiC-titanium alloy composites

High strength with high ductility can be achieved in the titanium alloys by using metal precipitated ceramic particle as reinforcement. In this work, α β b or β-Ti alloy composites were prepared with α-Ti precipitated TiC particles. A series of Ti-Fe-C-N alloys were prepared and a constitutional diagram was constructed as a function of N and Fe contents. Two criteria were identified for the formation of α-Ti precipitation. One is the existence of Ti2C phase and the other is the presence of α-Ti phase in the matrix. The mechanism of α-Ti formation from the Ti2C phase is discussed. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010.