Microstructures and mechanical properties of shock consolidated TiAl alloy powder compacts

Shock consolidation of TiAl alloy powder produced by plasma rotating electrode process (P-REP) was carried out using underwater-shock consolidation assembly newly developed. Microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated for the obtained compacts. The compacts heat-treated at 973K to 1623K were also observed and tested as well as the as-compacted specimens. As the result, the as-compacted specimens have nearly theoretical density, and attained strong bonding through the thin melting layer generated by friction of the powder particles and adiabatic compression of residual air between the particles. Further, specimen heat-treated at 1623K have microduplex structures with γ+α₂ phases. The specimen showed high compressive strength of 1280MPa and high strain of about 32%. From above results, it is concluded that the compacts with excellent mechanical properties were obtained by operating both shock consolidation and heat treatment.