Microstructural control of TiAl-Nb alloys by directional solidification

The lamellar microstructure of TiAl-Nb alloys with and without low boron additions is controlled using double directional solidification (DS). In alloys without the addition of boron, the beta phase is seeded during double DS. Complete peritectic transformation occurs in both the dendritic and interdendritic regions, which can lead to the successful alignment of both the high-temperature alpha phase and the lamellar microstructures. Well-aligned lamellar microstructures can be easily achieved if the alloy composition is close to the peritectic point on the hypo-peritectic side. In alloys with low boron additions, however, the competitive growth of the alpha phase breaks the continuity of the lamellar microstructure in the region ahead of stable growth, which finally results in columnar grain coarsening and unsuccessful alignment of the lamellar microstructures. (C) 2011 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.