Microstructures and tensile properties of low-cost TiBw/Ti-6Al-4V composites by vacuum reactive hot pressing

Coarse Ti-6Al-4V powder with particle size of 150-250 mu m are the by-conduct of the processing of spherical fine powder, and usually considered as waste powder. In order to reduce carbon emission during recycle process and obtain titanium-based material with low cost and good mechanical properties, the TiBw/Ti-6Al-4V composites using coarse Ti-6Al-4V powder with a particle size of 150-250 mu m were designed and successfully fabricated by vacuum reactive hot pressing (VRHP). The microstructures and tensile properties of low-cost TiBw/Ti-6Al-4V composites at room temperature and elevated temperatures were studied to optimize the content of TiBw. Be- sides, the strengthening mechanisms were analyzed based on the analysis of plastic deformation behavior and the fracture morphologies. The results showed that the composites reinforced by 1.0 vol% TiBw exhibited superior strength and ductility synergy, with a high tensile strength of 952 MPa and an elongation of 18.4% at room temperature, which are 24.3% and 145.3% higher than that of monolithic Ti-6Al-4V alloy, respectively. In addition, the 1.0 vol% TiBw/Ti-6Al-4V composites also showed excellent mechanical properties under high temperatures. This work shows that combining the network microstructure strategy with coarse spherical powder offers a pathway to design a low-cost titanium matrix composite with promising mechanical performance.

Automated summary

In this study, TiBw/Ti-6Al-4V composites were designed and fabricated using coarse Ti-6Al-4V powder. The microstructures and tensile properties were investigated, and the strengthening mechanisms were analyzed. The results showed that the composites exhibited high strength and ductility, with a tensile strength of 952 MPa and an elongation of 18.4% at room temperature. Additionally, the composites also showed excellent mechanical properties at high temperatures. This work demonstrates the feasibility of designing low-cost titanium matrix composites using coarse spherical powder and network microstructures.