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EFFECT OF INITIAL MICROSTRUCTURE ON PLASTIC WORKABILITY OF TiAl BASED ALLOY Wojciech Szkliniarz, Eugeniusz Hadasik, Agnieszka Kocielna
SILESIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, ul. Krasiskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland, szkliniarz@polsl.katowice.pl, hadasik@polsl.katowice.pl, agnieszko@polsl.katowice.pl Abstract The effect of microstructure on high-temperature deformation behavior of Ti-48Al-2Cr2Nb alloy has been investigated in compressive tests performed at 1273 and 1423 K. The microstructure were controlled by homogenization of cast ingots at 1313, 1523, 1593 and 1673 K. The microstructure, shape and appearance of the specimens and hardness after deformation and additionally after recrystallization annealing, as well the peak flow stress and strain corresponding to the peak flow stress of alloy with different initial microstructure were investigated. Alloys homogenized at both 1313 and 1423 K before deformation exhibit the best plastic workability. As a result of deformation of alloy homogenized at 1313 and 1423 K, the fine recrystallized grains of phase and globular 2 phase were obtained. 1. INTRODUCTION Over the past few years TiAl based ordered intermetallic alloys have received increasing attention for applications at high temperatures, owing to their high specific modulus, specific strength, resistance to creep deformation and oxidation resistance [1, 2]. However, the ductility at low temperature is very poor in the ordered TiAl based alloy, so the improvement of ductility at low temperature and creep resistance at high temperatures is the main issue of current research. The ductility can be improved at the cost of high temperature properties. The highest ductility is obtained with an optimum Al content of 48 at. %, thereby introducing 2 phase [3]. In mulicomponent system additions of Nb and Cr not only provide solid solution strengthening but also improve the ductility and the processability at high temperatures. Plasticization and enhanced hot workability of TiAl based alloys are connected also with grain refinement as well as refinement of the microstructure inside the grain. Among many well-know and applied until now methods of grain refinement: solidification with grain refiner (e.g. boride, gadolinum and carbon [4]), rheocasting [5], supertransus processing (e.g. hot extrusion and forging of powders and ingots at a temperature higher than the transus temperature [6]), thermomechanical treatment (e.g. forging plus heat treatment [7]), rapid heat treatment (e.g. cyclic heat treatment [8]) plastic working occupies the leading position. The aim of thermomechanical treatment is to develop a controlled fine-grained, uniform microstructure with is suitable for secondary processing operations or subsequent heat treatments [1]. In many cases thermomechanical processing of -TiAl alloys is conducted within the 2+ phase field, e.g. hot rolling, forging, extrusion. By grain refinement, using dynamic recrystallization through thermo-mechanical deformation processes, second phase incorporation and the addition of alloying elements [6], can improved both ductility and strength properties at low temperature. Based on future cost reductions particularly of semifinished materials, wrought TiAl components are expected to enter service in gas turbines, aircraft engines and premier class vehicles within the near future. Among a few factors such as deformation temperature, strain and strain rate determined compression alloys also initial microstructure has been found as one of important factors influences on plastic workability of TiAl based alloys.

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-TiAl based alloys are characterized mainly by three type of structure: near gamma, lamellar (with is composed of parallel 2 and plates with a specific orientation) and duplex (structure with grains of lamellar morphology 2+ and one with equiaxial grains of phase). In general, the duplex type microstructure is characterized by better plasticity, giving way, however, to the lamellar microstructure with respect to crack resistance, fatigue strength and high temperature creep resistance [9]. As a function of the processing variables the initial microstructure can exhibit local changes of composition, morphology and distribution of the different phases, grain size and even texture [10]. For this reason it is necessary to qualify the influence of processing conditions and heat treatment on the microstructure and some properties. 2. RESEARCH MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY The Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb intermetallic alloys were prepared by vacuum induction melting in ceramic crucibles coated with SrZrO3 and casted into the preheated graphite moulds. As charge materials for alloy melting, an Al-Cr-Nb master alloy and technically pure titanium were used. As-cast ingots were subjected to homogenization at 1313 K for 24 h, 1523 K for 20 h, 1593 K for 20 h and 1673 K for 2 h and to very slow cooling (with the furnace) after annealing. The compression test was performed on a Gleeble 3800 system simulator under uni-axial hot compression conditions. Cylindrical compressive specimen with a 10 mm initial diameter and a 15 mm height were resistance heated in a vacuum atmosphere at a rate of 3 K/s, to the deformation temperature (1273 and 1423 K), next, they were soaked for 30 s at that temperature and afterwards, compressed up to a strain of 1.2 with a strain rate of 0.01 s-1. In order to decrease friction, thin graphite and tantalum foils were inserted between the compression heads and the specimen. After deformation the specimens were subjected to recrystallization annealing at 1473 K for 2 hours with furnace cooling after annealing. Both in their initial state (as cast and after homogenization at four different temperatures) and after deformation, as well as after recrystallization annealing, examination of the specimens microstructure was performed in a cross-sectional surface cut parallel to the compression axis. The cut surface were ground and polished by diamond paste and then etched with Krolls reagent. 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION In this study, the effect of initial microstructure of Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb alloy on plastic workability in the high-temperature compressive deformation behavior, were investigated. The compressive tests in two different temperatures were conducted. The influence of initial microstructure on: shape of compressed specimens, appearance and state of specimens surface, value of peak flow stress and strain corresponding to the peak flow stress, microstructure after compression, the fraction of recrystallization and susceptibility to further recrystallization, conducted in standard for this alloy condition of recrystallization annealing, and hardness were investigated. The alloy: after casting and after homogenization at four different temperatures was used (Table 1). As cast alloy was characterized by dendritic structure, with different morphology of dendrites, contains lamellar 2+ areas as part of dendrites, surrounded by free phase in form of continuous lattice. The microstructure of the alloy after casting and after

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Table 1. Microstructure of Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb alloy before and after deformation and after recrystallization annealing Before deformation After deformation After recrystalization T = 1423 K

As cast

40 m

40 m

40 m

T = 1273 K

1313 K / 24 h / furnace

40 m

40 m

T = 1423 K
40 m

40 m

40 m

T = 1273 K

1523 K / 24 h / furnace

40 m

40 m

T = 1423 K
40 m

40 m

40 m

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Before deformation

After deformation After recrystalization T = 1273 K

1593 K / 20 h / furnace

40 m

40 m

T = 1423 K
40 m

40 m

40 m

T = 1273 K

1673 K / 20 h / furnace

40 m

40 m

T = 1423 K
40 m

40 m

40 m

homogenization at 1313 K for 24 h is a typical two-phase microstructure with lamellar phases 2 and with precipitation of a free phase. The optical micrographs of Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb alloy homogenized at 1423 K for 20 h shows the near structure. The lamellar volume fraction increasing with increasing homogenization temperature. The duplex structure was obtained after homogenization at 1593 K for 20 h, whilst the near lamellar structure with a lamellar volume fraction of about 85% was received after homogenization at 1673 K for 2 h. The microstructure of alloy has essential influence on its behavior during deformation. The microstructure of alloy: before deformation, after compression and after recrystallization annealing show Table 1. As a result of compression, effects connected with deformation, 4

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dynamic recrystallization and growth of recrystallization products predominate. Effects are visible of free phase deformation as well as of lamellar structure areas contain alternately arranged lamellas of 2 and phases. The microstructure of deformed alloys exhibit an orientation in the direction of the stress imposed. Also effects testifying to a progressive dynamic recrystallization, globularization of lamellar structure and growth of recrystallization and globularization products occur. This indicates that the dynamic equilibrium is obtained due to the balance between the refinement processes through dynamic recrystallization and the growth processes during deformation. It was found, that portion of processes connected with growth of recrystallization and globularization products essentially grows with an increasing of deformation temperature. The best results of microstructure refinement in the alloy homogenized before deformation at lower temperature was observed. It was found, that increase of homogenization temperature causes increase of inhomogeneities in the microstructure of deformed alloy, i.e. nonrecrystallized regions, regions with a partially recrystallized phase and with a lamellar microstructure characteristic of the initial state. The inhomogeneities are particularly visible in the microstructure of alloy deformed as cast (because of small strain = 0.36) as well as homogenized at high temperature. Its portion grows with an increasing of both homogenization temperature and portion of lamellar structure regions characteristic for the initial state. The application of recrystallization annealing do not change the character of microstructure and causes further progress of recrystallization processes and leads to increase of microstructure homogeneity. The shape and appearance of specimens surface after compression shows Table 2. The value of peak flow stress with corresponding strain and hardness of researched alloy presents Table 3. Table 2. Shape and appearance of specimens surface after compression Test condition Shape of deformed specimen after homogenization at: 1313 K / 24 h 1523 K / 0 h 1593 K / 20 h 1173 K / 2 h

1273 K = 1.2

1423 K = 1.2

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Table 3. The peak flow stress with corresponding strain and hardness of alloy deformed at different temperatures Alloy state As cast After homogenization at 1313 K for 24 h After homogenization at 1523 K for 20 h After homogenization at at 1593 K for 20 h After homogenization at 1673 K for 2 h Deformation Peak flow temperature stress K MPa 1423 1273 1423 1273 1423 1273 1423 1273 1423 305 505 253 502 240 511 251 548 282 Strain 0.05 0.08 0.06 0.10 0.08 0.14 0.09 0.15 0.09 HV10 After After Initial deforma- recrystalstate tion lization 345 363 302 400 348 309 381 330 406 346 320 367 335 397 326 328 354 325 391 324 329 367 325

The appearance of specimens after compression indicate that flow of alloy deformed at lower temperature characterized inhomogeneity and give evidence of nonuniform deformation and dynamic recrystallization (Table 1). There is no similar effect after deformation at higher temperature. Deformation of cast alloy at 1273 K seems to be practically impossible. The increasing of deformation temperature up to 1423 K allows for deformation up to a strain of 0.36 only, over that the material cracks. The lateral surface of specimens: homogenized at both temperatures 1313 and 1423 K, after deformation at whole applied temperature range is completely free of cracks. The increasing of homogenization temperature up to 1593 K leads to single cracks occurring on surface, which are more visible with increasing a deformation temperature. Applying of homogenization at 1673 K before deformation is especially unfavourable and caused cracking of this alloy both at low and high deformation temperature. Alloy with that initial structure are not suitable for deformation. The peak flow stress of as cast alloy is the highest whilst alloys after homogenization at 1313 and 1423 K exhibit the lowest peak flow stress. Applying of homogenization at 1673 K inducing significant increase of peak flow stress value. The lower strain, corresponding to the peak flow stress at higher deformation temperature pay attention and indicate on earlier start of recrystallization process. 4. SUMMARY The effect of microstructure on high-temperature deformation behavior of Ti-48Al-2Cr2Nb alloy has been investigated in compressive tests performed at 1273 and 1423 K. The microstructure were controlled by homogenization of cast ingots at 1313, 1523, 1593 and 1673 K. It was found, that hot workability, microstructure after deformation and additionally after recrystallization annealing, shape and appearance of specimens after deformation, peak flow stress and strain corresponding to the peak flow stress dependent on the initial microstructure sensitively. It was found, that as cast alloy is not suitable to deformation. Only the alloy homogenized at temperatures 1313 and 1423 K is suitable to deformation and the deformation progress at the lower peak flow stress than other cases. The plastic deformation is connected with change of microstructure as a result of deformation, dynamic recrystallization and globularization processes.

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As a result of deformation and recrystallization annealing of alloy homogenized at 1313 and 1423 K the fine, more uniform recrystallized grains of phase and globular 2 phase, were obtained. Taking into account the deformation resistance, surface state of specimens after deformation and obtained microstructure the alloy homogenized before deformation at lower temperatures 1313 and 1423 K seems to be optimum. REFERENCES [1] CLEMENS H., LORICH A., EBERHARDT N., GLATZ W., KNABL W., KESTLER H. Technology, Properties and Applications of Intermetallic -TiAl Based Alloys. Zeitschrift fr Metallkunde, 1999, 90, 8, pp. 569-580. [2] DIMIDUK D. M., McQUAY P. A., KI Y-W. Gamma alloy Technology 1999. Proceedings of Ninth World Conference on Titanium, Saint-Petersburg, 1999, pp. 259-268. [3] CLEMENS H., KESTLER H. Processing and Applications of Intermetallic -TiAl Based Alloys. Advanced Engineering Materials, 2000, 2, 9, pp. 551-570. [4] SZKLINIARZ W., MIKUSZEWSKI T., CHRAPOSKI J., JUSZCZYK B., KOCIELNA A. Effects of Boron, Carbon and Gadolinium Additions on the Microstructure and Grain Size of Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb Alloy. Proceedings of the 10th World Conference on Titanium, Hamburg 2003, Germany. [5] ICHIKAWA K., KINOSHITA Y. Rheocasting techniques applied to intermetallic TiAl alloys and composites. Materials Science and Engineering, 1997, A 239-240, pp. 493-502. [6] MITCHELL A. Melting, casting and forging problems in titanium alloys. Materials Science and Engineering, 1998, A243, pp. 257-262. [7] HU Z. M., DEAN T. A. Aspects of forging of titanium alloys and the production of blade forms. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 2000, 111, pp. 10-19. [8] WANG J. N., XIE K. Grain size refinement of a TiAl alloy by rapid heat treatment. Scripta Materialia, 2000, 43, pp. 441-446. [9] RAMANUJAN R. V. Phase transformations in based titanium aluminides. International Materials Reviews, 2000, 6, pp. 217-239. [10] ANOSHKIN N. F., SHAKHANOVA G. H., SMIRNOVA T. R. Structural aspects of heat treatment dependence of tensile properties of gamma TiAl-based alloy. Proceedings of Ninth World Conference on Titanium, Saint-Petersburg, 1999, pp. 285-289. Acknowledgements
This work was supported by Polish Committee of Scientific Research (grant No. PBZ/KBN-041/T08/2001)