Role of alloying elements in microstructure evolution and alloying elements behaviour during sintering of a near-β titanium alloy

A near-beta Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-2Cr-1Fe alloy was produced using the blended elemental powder metallurgy approach. The microstructural development and distributions of the alloying elements were investigated during transformation of the heterogeneous powder compacts into the final homogenous alloy product. The influence of different alloying elements and their combination on microstructural evolution and chemical homogenisation is discussed. X-ray mapping and line scans found the order of the rates at which the alloying elements diffuse into the Ti matrix. It was concluded that the addition of 1% Fe as alloying element with the fastest diffusivity in titanium has a positive influence on the characteristics of sintered alloy. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.