Impression creep characterization of TiAl weldments

The Impression Creep technique has been applied to XD{trademark} TiAl weldments to evaluate the local creep resistance of the fusion zone and the heat affected zone. The material used in this study was TiAl produced by Martin Marietta Research Laboratories, using their patented ingot processing which incorporates 1 to 10 {mu}m diameter particles of carbide, nitride or boride compounds. The impression creep technique uses a small indenter to locally evaluate the creep resistance of the heterogeneous microstructure developed during the welding process. The indenters used in this investigation were 1 mm in diameter. Results obtained from the impression creep tests are compared to results obtained from constant stress tensile creep tests on the base material. Creep resistance of the heat affected zone and the fusion zone are compared to and contrasted with the base material strength. 19 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs.