Structure and Properties of Ti55Al45 Alloys Prepared by Mechanical Alloying and Spark Plasma Sintering

Amorphization and crystallization behaviors of Ti55Al45 powders during mechanical alloys (MA) and subsequent Spark Plasma Sintering are studied. It is found that the nanocrystallization process of the Ti-Al alloy proceeds and the sintering temperature can control the microstructure of alloy. The sintering of the compacts is carried out at the temperatures of 1100—1200°C with a compaction pressure of 30MPa and a heating rate of 30°C min-1. Specimens with high densities and approaching the equilibrium state can be obtained in short time of 180s by spark sintering than conventional sintering. Such shorter high temperature is important to prevent grain growth. The microstructures of the alloy contains equiaxed gamma TiAl with sub-micron grain size and small amount alpha Ti3Al phase.