Structural and Phase Transformations in Alloys during Spark Plasma Sintering of Ti+23.5 at % Al+21 at % Nb Powder Mixtures

We have studied the effect of sintering temperature on the structural and phase transformations of alloys produced by the spark plasma sintering of Ti + 23.5 at % Al + 21 at % Nb powder mixtures at temperatures in the range 1100-1550A degrees C. The sintered alloys have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (elemental X-ray mapping). The alloys sintered at temperatures of 1100 and 1200A degrees C have been shown to have a nonuniform microstructure. According to electron microscopy results, the alloys consist of grains of the alpha(2) and Nb2Al phases and small precipitates of the O-phase (intermetallic compound Ti2AlNb). In addition, there are particles of unreacted niobium and titanium. The alloys sintered at a temperature of 1300A degrees C have a uniform lamellar structure.