Determination of phase fields and processing of a multicomponent titanium matrix composite for high strength and fracture toughness

Abstract The high temperature phase fields of a multicomponent titanium alloy system is determined by CALPHAD to assist in rapid processing of a titanium metal matrix composite by electric-field-assisted reaction sintering. A uniform dispersion of in-situ formed TiB whiskers, in a ductile beta titanium (β-Ti) matrix, has resulted in a composite with a flexural strength of 1622 MPa and a fracture toughness of 23 MPa m , which are much greater than that achieved before in this class of materials.