Effect of Nano-Y2O3 Addition on Microstructure and Tensile Properties of High-Nb TiAl Alloy Prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering

Nano-Y2O3 reinforced Ti-47.7Al-7.1Nb-(V, Cr) alloy was fabricated by a powder metallurgy route using spark plasma sintering (SPS), and the influence of nano-Y2O3 contents on the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated systematically. The results revealed that the ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the alloy were 570 ± 28 MPa and 1.7 ± 0.6% at 800 °C, 460 ± 23 MPa and 6.1 ± 0.4% at 900 °C with no nano-Y2O3, 662 ± 24 MPa and 5.5 ± 0.5% at 800 °C, and 466 ± 25 MPa and 16.5 ± 0.8% at 900 °C with 0.05 at% nano-Y2O3 addition, respectively. Due to the fine-grain strengthening and the second-phase strengthening, both tensile strength and elongation of the high-Nb TiAl alloy were enhanced with the addition of nano-Y2O3.

Hot Deformation Behavior and Hot Rolling Properties of a Nano-Y2O3 Addition Near-α Titanium Alloy

The hot deformation behavior and hot rolling based on the hot processing map of a nano-Y2O3 addition near-α titanium alloy were investigated. The isothermal compression tests were conducted at various deformation temperatures (950⁠–1070 °C) and strain rates (0.001–1 s−1), up to a true strain of 1.2. The flow stress was strongly dependent on deformation temperature and strain rate, decreasing with increased temperature and decreased strain rate. The average activation energy was 657.8 kJ/mol and 405.9 kJ/mol in (α + β) and β region, respectively. The high activation energy and peak stress were contributed to the Y2O3 particles and refractory elements comparing with other alloys and composites. The deformation mechanisms in the (α + β) region were dynamic recovery and spheroidization of α phase, while the β phase field was mainly controlled by the dynamic recrystallization and dynamic recovery of β grains. Moreover, the constitutive equation based on Norton–Hoff equation and hot processing map were also obtained. Through the optimal processing window determined by the hot processing map at true strains of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6, the alloy sheet with multi-pass hot rolling (1050 °C/0.03–1 s−1) was received directly from the as-cast alloy. The ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of the alloy sheet were 1168 MPa and 1091 MPa at room temperature, and 642 MPa and 535 MPa at 650 °C, respectively, which performs some advantages in current research.