Papers by Author: Fritz Appel

Abstract: In view of the development of improved TiAl cast alloys the potential of the  transformation and its dependence on the addition of several alloying elements has been investigated. It was found that microstructural refinement in  solidifying alloys can be attributed to the alloying effect on the kinetics of the  transformation. This also holds for grain refinement through Borides which apparently serve as nucleation sites for the  phase in the solid-state transformation.

Abstract: Intermetallic titanium aluminide alloys are multiphase assemblies with complex microstructure and constitution, involving the phases γ(TiAl), α2(Ti3Al), β, and B2. The earlier stages of phase transformation and dynamic recrystallization occurring upon hot-working of such an alloy were investigated at the atomic scale by high-resolution electron microscopy. Accordingly, the conversion of the microstructure is triggered by heterogeneities in the deformation state and non-equilibrium phase composition. The β/B2 phase is apparently unstable under tetragonal distortion, which gives rise to the formation of the B19 phase via distinct shuffle displacements. These processes lead to a modulated microstructure, which is comprised of several stable and metastable phases. The phase transformations are accomplished by the propagation and coalescence of ledges. Large and broad ledges can apparently easily be rearranged into intermediate metastable structures, which serve as precursor for the nucleation of new grains.

Abstract: The effect of shot peening and roller burnishing on the fatigue performance of the γ(TiAl) alloy Ti-45Al-9Nb-0.2C was investigated over a wide range of processing intensities. At optimized conditions shot peening and roller burnishing can markedly improve the fatigue strength at ambient temperatures. For temperatures above 650 °C, the residual compressive stresses induced by shot peening and roller burnishing quickly relax. This indicates that, at elevated temperatures, surface roughness and dislocation strengthening become more important for the fatigue performance of mechanically surface-treated components. Roller burnishing leads to much lower surface roughness than shot peening, resulting in more effective improvement of high temperature fatigue performance. However, surface strengthening by shot peening can also be beneficial for the fatigue performance at elevated temperatures, when the surface roughness is reduced by subsequent polishing.

Abstract: Gamma titanium aluminide alloys often solidify peritectically and show a coarse, dendritic microstructure, which can lead to unacceptable mechanical properties in the as-cast condition. In view of the development of improved cast alloys, the dependence of the solidifying microstructure on the aluminum content and other alloying elements was investigated. The formation of the observed solidification microstructures is discussed in comparison with microstructure formation maps calculated by the NCU (nucleation and constitutional undercooling) model developed by Hunziker et al. [1].