Interface reaction between ceramic moulds and high Nb-TiAl alloys

The interface reaction between Ti-44Al-8Nb-0.2W-0.1B-0.1Y (at%) alloy and Al2O3/ZrO2/ Y2O3 crucibles was investigated. The thicknesses of the interface reaction layers are about 40, 170 and 20 μm. The most interesting is the microstructure transformation of Ti-44Al-8Nb-0.2W-0.1B-0.1Y solidifying in different crucibles. After solidifying in Al2O3/ZrO2/ Y2O3 crucibles, the oxygen contents in Ti-44Al-8Nb-0.2W-0.1B-0.1Y alloy are measured to be 0.35, 0.41 and 0.11 (at%). During melting and solidification, oxygen in crucibles will diffuse into the alloy matrix. High oxygen content causes microstructure transformation. Peritectic reaction occurs in the alloys solidifying in Al2O3 and ZrO2 crucibles. For contrast, Ti-49.5Al-2Cr-2Nb alloy was chosen to make investigation. No visible microstructure difference is found in alloys solidified in various crucibles though the oxygen contents are determined as 0.40, 0.63 and 0.25 (at%). © 2013, Northwest Institute for Nonferrous Metal Research. Published by Elsevier BV. All rights reserved.