Microstructure Design and Its Effect on Mechanical Properties in Gamma Titanium Aluminides

Intermetallic gamma titanium aluminides display attractive engineering properties at high temperatures of up to 750 °C. To date, they have been used in low-pressure turbine blades and turbocharger rotors in advanced aircraft and automotive engines. This review summarizes the fundamental information of the Ti–Al system. After providing the development of TiAl alloys, typical phases, microstructures and their characteristics in TiAl alloys, the paper focuses on the effects of alloying elements on the phase boundary shifting, stabilizing effects and strengthening mechanism. The relationships between chemical additions, microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the alloy are discussed. In parallel, the processing technologies and the common heat treatment methods are described in detail, both of which are applied to optimize the mechanical properties via adjusting microstructures. On this basis, the effects from chemical composition, processing technologies and heat treatments on microstructure, which controls the mechanical properties, can be obtained. It has a certain guiding significance for tailoring the microstructures to gain desired mechanical properties.

A Sheep Model for the Osseointegration of PEO-treated Gamma Titanium Aluminide

A sheep model was used to study the osseointegration of gamma titanium aluminide (γTiAl) screws subjected to plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). The degree of osseointegration was determined by measuring the maximum torque for screw removal from bone after 3 and 6 months of implant placement in sheep for PEO-treated γTiAl, untreated γTiAl, and untreated Ti6Al4V cortical screws. The amount of bone growth and mineralization were qualitatively observed by von Kossa staining of the bone tissue in the region surrounding the implants. Inductive Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was carried out to determine trace amounts of metallic elements in blood serum samples obtained from the animals. Generally Al, Cr and V were present in blood serum in comparable quantities in the control and implanted animals, while neither Ti nor Nb was detected. Results from histological analysis and SEM images indicated that de novo bone growth occurred to a greater extent for the PEO treated γTiAl screws. Furthermore, the torque for screw removal from bone was significantly higher (p<0.05) for the PEO-treated γTiAl implants. Taken together, the data supports that the PEO surface treatment enhanced osseointegration to a considerable degree indicating the potential for favorably utilizing PEO-treated γTiAl for dental and orthopedic implant applications.

Advancement of Plasma Cold-Hearth Melting for Production of Gamma Titanium Aluminide Alloys within Arconic

Utilization of gamma titanium aluminide alloys in aerospace and automotive/industrial applications has placed significant demand on melting sources for products to be used in cast, wrought, and direct-machining applications. There is also an increased demand for input stock used in gas atomization of powders. Current technologies used in ingot manufacturing include plasma arc melting, vacuum arc melting, and induction skull melting + centrifugal casting. Subsequent processing may include forging, re-melting + casting, or machining directly into components. Over the past six years, Arconic Engineered Structures has developed a robust melting method using plasma cold-hearth melting technology, including the design and implementation of a new 3-torch system to produce Ti-48-2-2 cast bars. General discussions concerning plasma cold-hearth melting, manufacturing challenges, and metallurgical attributes associated with cast Ti-48-2-2 bars will be reviewed. Emphasis will be on understanding the impact of hot isostatic pressing on internal voids, residual stress cracking and resulting mechanical properties.