Abstract
The low structural mass fraction required for future aerospace vehicles necessitates the development of new materials having improved specific properties at elevated temperatures. Fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composites (TMC) offer significant improvements in strength and stiffness over their monolithic counterparts and are prime candidates for these applications. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of TMC processing on the axial tensile properties of unidirectional SCS-6/Ti-15V-3Cr-3Sn-3Al (Ti-15-3) titanium matrix composites. The composite was manufactured by using spark plasma sintering (SPS). The Ti-15-3 powder and SCS-6 fiber mats were consolidated by SPS at the temperature of 800, 900 and 1,000ºC, and at pressure of 30 and 60 MPa in vacuum. The tensile specimens of TMC were tested in air at room temperature, 400, 600, and 800ºC, and the resulting properties were compared to those of TMC by hot pressing. The reactions and microstructures were studied in interfaces between SCS-6 and Ti-15-3. TMC consolidated by SPS had tensile strengths of 756 to 1,570MPa from room temperature to 800ºC. The SPS provided superior tensile strengths of TMC, as compared to hot pressing.
