Mechanical alloying and high pressure processing of a TiAl-V intermetallic alloy

An alloy with a chemical composition of Ti-45Al-5V (at.%) was synthesized by mechanical alloying in a Szegvari-type attritor from elemental powders of high purity. Before compaction, the powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning as well as transmission electron microscopy. The compaction of powders was carried out by hot isostatic pressing and hot isostatic extrusion. The resulting material was subjected to microstructural and mechanical characterization. The microstructure investigated by transmission and scanning electron microscopy supplemented by X-ray diffraction revealed that the bulk material was composed of a mixture of TiAl- and Ti(3)Al-based phases, however, the typical lamellar microstructure for such alloys was not observed. The materials exhibited exceptionally high yield strength together with satisfactory ductility and fracture toughness. The high strength was unequivocally due to grain refinement and the presence of oxide dispersoid.