Abstract
Ti-aluminides reinforced Ti matrix composites were fabricated from 0.04mm-thcik Ti foils with 0.012mm-thick aluminum foils, using pulsed current hot pressing (PCHP) process, and the effect of processing condition on the properties of composites thus fabricated was investigated. Microstructure of the composite fabricated was an alternatively-laminated structure composed of Ti and Ti-aluminides, and the structure of the Ti-aluminides in the composites changed with increasing a holding temperature during PCHP. Tensile tests carried out for the composites at room temperature revealed that the mechanical properties of the composites changed by altering the holding temperature. The tensile strength and the elongation of the composite produced at 1273 K attained to 810 MPa and 3.64%, respectively. Microstructural observations of fractured specimens showed that the Ti layers effectively bridged numerous cracks emanating from the Ti-aluminides in the composites fabricated at less than 1273 K. In the present review, above results are summarized in comparison with the microstructure and mechanical properties of laminate materials fabricated by conventional vacuum hot pressing.
