The microstructure of as-cast Ti-46Al-0.5W-0.5Si alloy exhibits significant microinhomogenetity due to the non-equilibrium solidification and low atom diffusion rate. In order to reduce the adverse effect of this microsegregation on plasticity, the microstructure evolution of the Ti-46Al-0.5W-0.5Si alloy homogenized at different temperatures from 1,200 ℃ to 1,320 ℃ was investigated, and the optimized process of homogenizing treatment, i.e., annealing treated at 1,280 ℃ and held for 8 h, was determined. Microstructures of both the as-cast and heat treated alloys were observed by means of optical microscope and scanning electron microscopes. Tensile tests at room temperature were conducted on the homogenizing treated fully lamellar Ti-46Al-0.5W-0.5Si alloy with loading axis parallel to the lamellar interface. Results show that, at higher heat treatment temperatures, the W element diffuses sufficiently, the microstructure tends to be more homogeneous, and the profile of the silicide clusters becomes smooth. Heat treating conducted in the α+γ two phase region can keep the columnar grains and the original lamellar orientation within them. The microstructure of the alloy after heat treated in α+γ two phase region exhibits the coexisting morphology of coarse lamellar and thin lamellar. The homogenization process at 1,280 ℃ for 8 h can significantly reduce the microsegregation, and the elongation at room temperature can increase from 0.48% (as-cast) to 1.34%.
The fracture behavior of fully lamellar γ-TiAl alloys depends on the angle between the lamellar orientation and loading axis,but the role of the presentation of grain boundary cannot be ignored.To investigate the influence of the grain boundary on the initiation and propagation of cracks,the tensile test of the alloy was conducted at room temperature with loading axis parallel and perpendicular to the lamellar orientation,respectively.The cracks adjacent to the fracture zone of the tensile specimens have been investigated to analyze the fracture behavior.Results show that the grain boundary has dual influences on the fracture behavior.When the loading axis is parallel to the lamellar orientation,cracks are preferentially initiated at and propagate along the grain boundaries.When the loading axis is perpendicular to the lamellar orientation,the grain boundaries can prevent the propagation of cracks from running across.Additionally,serrated-shape grain boundaries have a better inhibiting effect on the propagation of cracks than planar boundaries.
