Effect of boron on the structure and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al and Ti-6Al-4V

Boron alloying was found to have a beneficial effect-on the plasticity of Ti-6Al and Ti-W-4V (wt.%) as-cast alloys for contents within the solubility limits (up to around 0.05 wt.%) and to enhance their strength and hardness HV in the range of the existence of metal-boride eutectic. (up to 2.0 and 2.5 wt.% B studied, respectively). The boride reinforcement contributes much to the hardness and strength of the Ti-6Al and Ti-6Al-4V alloys, increasing them by 1.5-2 times at room temperature to 400 degrees C. Monovariant eutectics (Ti(88.8)Al(11.2)) + TiB and (Ti(84.9)Al(11.4)V(3.7)) + (Ti(96.9)V(3.1))B were found to solidify at compositions Ti-W-1.8B and WTi-6Al-4V-2B (wt.%) and at temperatures of 1530 and 1515 degrees C, respectively. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.