The deformation and fracture of Ti₃Al at elevated temperatures

Abstract

The tensile properties of the intermetallic compound Ti₃Al have been determined in air at several temperatures within the range of 25 to 900 °C. The dislocation structures produced by the various testing conditions were studied in the electron microscope and the fracture modes were studied in the scanning electron microscope. These microstructural observations were correlated with the mechanical properties. The results indicate that Ti₃Al has only limited ductility even at 900 °C. The apparent ductile-brittle transition which occurs above 600 °C is due to increasing amounts of intergranular cracking. Some increase in ductility above 600 °C is due to the onset of dislocation cross slipping. The fracture mode up to 600 °C is entirely cleavage. Above 600 °C the fracture shows increasing evidence of plasticity; however, cleavage remains the main fracture mode up to 900 °C.