The Role of Microstructure in Fracture Resistence Control of TiAl Based Intermetallics

The analysis of the role of microstructure in fracture performance of TiAl intermetalics at room and elevated temperatures has been carried out. For Ti-46Al-0.7Cr-0.1Si-7Nb-0.2Ni alloy different regimes of thermal and thermal-mechanical treatment were applied enabling to control substantially microstructural parameters. Attention was paid to grain (colony) size effect, effect of lamellas thickness and morphology and, in addition, to β-phase effect. For separate treatment regimes the flexural strength and fracture toughness were evaluated in addition to microstructural parameters. Fractographic analysis enabled to evaluate fracture micromechanisms; development of shear ligament toughening was observed in almost all cases. This is the key mechanism controlling the fracture behaviour. Based on findings obtained key aspects of the effect of separate microstructural components have been discussed