Intermetallic titanium aluminides offer an attractive combination of low density and good oxidation and ignition resistance with unique mechanical properties. These involve high strength and elastic stiffness with excellent high temperature retention. Thus, they are one of the few classes of emerging materials that have the potential to be used in demanding high‐temperature structural applications whenever specific strength and stiffness are of major concern. However, in order to effectively replace the heavier nickel‐base superalloys currently in use, titanium aluminides must combine a wide range of mechanical property capabilities. Advanced alloy designs are tailored for strength, toughness, creep resistance, and environmental stability. These concerns are addressed in the present paper through global commentary on the physical metallurgy and associated processing technologies of γ‐TiAl‐base alloys. Particular emphasis is paid on recent developments of TiAl alloys with enhanced high‐temperature capability.
For high-temperature applications, creep strength is of major concern, in addition to oxidation and corrosion resistance, and determines the application range of titanium aluminide alloys in competition with other structural materials. Thus, this work was aimed at identifying mechanisms of creep deformation and microstructural degradation and at developing alloying concepts with respect to an enhanced high-temperature capability. The analysis shows that dislocation climb controls deformation in the range of the intended operation temperatures. Further, complex processes of phase transformations, recrystallization, and microstructural coarsening were observed, which contribute to microstructural degradation and limit component life in long-term service. By alloying with high contents of Nb, both room-and high-temperature strength properties can be improved as Nb increases the activation energy of diffusion and increases the propensity for twinning at ambient temperature. For alloys with enhanced hightemperature capability, microalloying with carbon is also of particular use, because carbide precipitates effectively hinder dislocation motion and are thought to increase microstructural stability.
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