Novel two-scale network structured (TiBw+Ti2Cu)/Ti6Al4V composites: Design, Microstructure, Mechanical properties and Fracture behavior

Zhongqing Zhang, Guopeng Wang, Yang Gao, Zekun Zheng, Xiaoqi Mao, Junjie Xu, Xiang Li, Yongqing Fu, Minghua Chen, Shanna Xu*, Longlong Dong*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    4 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Titanium matrix composites with homogeneous microstructures often exhibit inferior mechanical properties, thus severely restricting their applications for engineering-structural parts. Inspired by nature's fine microstructures, we have in-situ constructed a novel two-scale structured (TiBw+Ti2Cu)/Ti6Al4V composites for significantly improve the mechanical properties of the Ti matrix, i.e., with the first-scale network reinforced by micro-TiBw and the second-scale network reinforced by nano26 Ti2Cu. Average sizes of α-Ti were significantly refined with adding 2.53vol.% TiBw, and in-situ formed TiBw was favorable for formation of equiaxed α-Ti. At 293 K, yield strength and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of (2.53vol% TiBw + 3.02vol% Ti2Cu)/Ti6Al4V composites were 1160 MPa and 1272 MPa, respectively, which were 47.2% and 41.0% higher than that of Ti6Al4V. Moreover, their maximum strength (51 MPa) is 27.4% higher than that of Ti6Al4V alloys at 873 K. The remarkable increase in strength for the composites is attributed to fine-grain strengthening and precipitation6 strengthening from Ti2Cu nanoparticles, and high temperature strength is due to the pinning effect of TiBw in the softened matrix and hinderance of flow in the matrix.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number108868
    Pages (from-to)1-14
    Number of pages14
    JournalComposites - Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
    Volume193
    Early online date17 Mar 2025
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2025

    Keywords

    • Mechanical properties
    • Strengthening mechanisms
    • Titanium matrix composites
    • Two-scale network structure

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