Hot-Tensile Properties of In Situ Synthesized Multiple-Reinforced (TiB+TiC+Nd₂O₃)/Ti-Alloy Composites

Abstract

Novel (TiB+TiC+Nd₂O₃)/Ti-alloy composites were in situ synthesized utilizing the reaction between Ti, B₄C, Nd and B₂O₃ through homogeneously melting in a non-consumable vacuum arc remelting furnace. There were three kinds of reinforcements in the matrix: near-equiaxed TiC particles, TiB whiskers and plates and Nd₂O₃ particles. The reinforcements were homogeneously distributed in the matrix. Tensile properties of the (TiB+TiC+Nd₂O₃)/Ti-alloy composites were tested with strain rate 10⁻² S⁻¹ at 873, 923 and 973 K. The results showed that the incorporation of in situ synthesized reinforcements significantly increased the strength of the composites at elevated temperature. With the temperature increasing, the improvement on tensile strength decreases. The improvement on strength mainly attributes to load undertaking of reinforcements and dispersion strengthening of nano-sized Nd₂O₃ particles.