Ti-based composite materials with enhanced thermal and mechanical properties

Abstract Ti-based composite materials with remarkable mechanical properties and good thermal stability were obtained and studied with the purpose of employment for producing resistant and versatile components in the automotive industry. The raw materials having the overall Ti80Mn8Al6Sn3Zr2C1 composition were prepared by mechanosynthesis from powders of comprising elements; after thermal processing and by following four different sintering pathways, both in the argon flow, the four samples (S1–S4) reached a specific composition of metallic and ceramic phases. Thermal analysis and calorimetry showed that the composite materials adsorb considerable amounts of argon, these being related to the obtained composition and microstructure. The results of the thermal study were used when choosing the thermal treatment conditions for sintering; in order to select the optimal processing conditions within the four different regimes of sintering for the raw materials and the final sample with the best functional properties, a comprehensive study for determining the composition, structure and morphological features was carried out by means of X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Two samples (S1 & S4) of the obtained composite materials have increased porosity due to the presence of titanium aluminium carbides (Ti3AlC & Ti3AlC2) that are known as highly porous ceramics, therefore absorbing more argon during the preparation process. The roughness and wear tests showed that the best results (smallest roughness: Ra = 1.11 μm and smallest wear: w = 2.472·10−4 mm3 N−1 m−1) belong to the S2 sample sintered in argon for 15 min at 1100 °C and further calcinated at 1050 °C for 75 min.