Multi-layered structures of Ti-6Al-4V alloy and TiC and TiB composites on its base fabricated using blended elemental powder metallurgy

Abstract Due to the high specific strength of titanium, materials on its base are contemplated as a viable alternative in low-weight armor production. However, when the armor parts are fabricated using traditional and costly ingot and wrought technology, the feasibility of implementation is questionable. Proposed cost-efficient process of fabrication uses blended elemental powder metallurgy (BEPM). Multi-layered structures based on Ti-6Al-4 V alloy and its metal-matrix composites (MMC) with 5–10% (vol.) of TiC and TiB were fabricated and tested. Relatively large multi-layered plates and bars with TiC composite were successfully sintered due to very close shrinkage values of the alloy and composite. Shrinkage values of TiB composites were substantially lower than those for alloy, what led to delamination of layered structures, cracking and distortion of the plates. The difference in shrinkage behavior between the ML plates with TiC vs. TiB MMCs was explained by the difference in the ways those two types of reinforcement particles evolve within the structures. We have shown that by the optimization of the powder size and hydrogen content in BEPM process the shrinkage mismatch of the layered structures could be effectively nullified.