KINETICS OF TRANSITION LAYER FORMATION DURING INTERACTION OF Ti-TiB WITH LIQUID ALUMINUM

• Main Authors: Yana O. Smirnova, Ievgen V. Solodkyi, Iryna M. Huriia, Petro I. Loboda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute 2019-05-01
• Series: KPI Science News
• Subjects: Titanium; Aluminum; Titanium boride; Composite material
• Online Access: http://scinews.kpi.ua/article/view/167784

Background. Titanium, aluminum and their alloys are low density, high specific strength and corrosion resistance materials. They are widely used for parts in the automotive, aerospace and chemical industry due to their properties. Moreover, Al-Ti composite materials are extremely attractive and perspective. However, the technological process of titanium-aluminum composite materials obtaining, which is a solid-phase interaction, is usually complex. More simple and effective liquid-phase methods are not widespread and poorly developed. Despite the achievement of the metallurgical bonding between titanium and aluminum the interface between them in composite materials isn’t perfect, that’s why it decreases their functional properties. Titanium matrix composites as a relatively new class of materials are the titanium alloy matrix reinforced with ceramic fibers (for example Ti-TiB). Moreover, these composites are promising to increase the physical and mechanical properties of products. That’s why we propose to study the interaction of Ti-TiB with the aluminum melt and obtain a unique reinforced interface between them. Objective. The aim of the paper is exploring the kinetics of Ti-TiB and liquid aluminum interaction for obtaining new composite material (Ti-TiB)-Al with the increased physical and mechanical properties. Methods. Immersion and holding of prepared plates of Ti-TiB in aluminum melt, followed by air cooling. Investigation of the microstructure and phase composition of the interaction zone. Determination of microhardness of formed zones. Results. The image of microstructure and microrentgenospectral analysis at the points on the interface between composite and the melt showed the presence of three zones: titanium reinforced with titanium boride fibers, transition intermetallic layer and aluminum reinforced with inclusions. It was primarily established that holding of composite in melt promotes interaction of TiB fibers and aluminum. Increasing the holding time of composite in the melt causes the thickness of the uniformly reinforced aluminum layer. Titanium boride fibers and intermetallic compounds in aluminum significantly increase the aluminum microhardness. Conclusions. It was primarily found that during holding of Ti-TiB composite in aluminum melt, there is an interaction with the following formation of transition intermetallic layer and aluminum reinforced zone. It can be clearly seen that the obtaining of metal-ceramic composite materials with the increased physical and mechanical characteristics is definitely a perspective.