Papers by Author: Svea Mayer

Abstract: Intermetallic TiAl alloys based on the γ-TiAl phase are already used as engineering light-weight high-temperature materials in aircraft and automotive engines. Thereby, they partly substitute the twice as heavy Ni-base superalloys. Present applications are, for example, blades in the low-pressure turbine of advanced aero-engines, turbine wheels for turbocharger systems of car diesel engines as well as engine parts used in racing cars. All these applications require balanced mechanical properties, i.e. certain ductility at room temperature as well as defined creep strength at elevated temperatures. The first part of this paper reviews the alloy design strategy, which was used for the development of a β-solidifying γ-TiAl-based alloy, the so-called “TNM alloy”, which exhibits an excellent hot-deformability. In the meantime, the TNM alloy with the nominal composition of Ti-43.5Al-4Nb-1Mo-0.1B (in atomic percent, at.%) is introduced in a particular eco-friendly and fuel-saving aero-engine, which is powering a medium-range aircraft since the beginning of 2016. In the second part of this work the microstructural parameters are highlighted, which influence the failure strain at room temperature and creep strength at elevated temperatures. It will be shown how the creep resistance can be improved by tailoring phase fractions as well as the spatial arrangement of the microstructural constituents.

Abstract: Challenging issues concerning energy efficiency and environmental politics require novel approaches to materials design. A recent example with regard to structural materials is the emergence of lightweight intermetallic TiAl alloys. Their excellent high-temperature mechanical properties, low density, and high stiffness constitute a profile perfectly suitable for their application as advanced aero-engine turbine blades or as turbocharger turbine wheels in next-generation automotive engines. Advanced so-called 3^rd generation TiAl alloys, such as the TNM alloy described in this paper, are complex multi-phase alloys which can be processed by ingot or powder metallurgy as well as precision casting methods. Each process leads to specific microstructures which can be altered and optimized by thermo-mechanical processing and/or subsequent heat treatments.

Abstract: Urgent needs concerning energy efficiency and environmental politics require novel approaches to materials design. One recent example is thereby the implementation of light-weight intermetallic titanium aluminides as structural materials for the application in turbine blades of aero-engines as well as in turbocharger turbine wheels for the next generation of automotive engines. Each production process leads to specific microstructures which can be altered and optimized by thermo-mechanical processing and / or subsequent heat-treatments. To develop sound and sustainable processing routes, knowledge on solidification processes and phase transformation sequences in advanced TiAl alloys is fundamental. Therefore, in-situ diffraction techniques employing synchrotron radiation and neutrons were used for establishing phase fraction diagrams, investigating advanced heat-treatments as well as for optimizing thermo-mechanical processing. Summarizing all results a consistent picture regarding microstructure formation and its impact on mechanical properties in advanced multi-phase TiAl alloys can be given.

Abstract: After almost three decades of intensive fundamental research and development activities, intermetallic titanium aluminides based on the ordered γ-TiAl phase have found applications in aircraft and automotive engine industry. The advantages of this class of innovative high-temperature materials are their low density and their good strength and creep properties up to 750°C as well as their good oxidation and burn resistance. Advanced TiAl alloys are complex multi-phase alloys which can be processed by ingot or powder metallurgy as well as precision casting methods. Each process leads to specific microstructures which can be altered and optimized by thermo-mechanical processing and/or subsequent heat treatments. The background of these heat treatments is at least twofold, i.e. concurrent increase of ductility at room temperature and creep strength at elevated temperature.

Abstract: In the present study the high-temperature deformation behavior of a caste and subsequently HIPed β-solidifying γ-TiAl-based alloy with a nominal composition of Ti-43.5Al-4Nb-1Mo-0.1B (in at. %), termed TNM alloy, is investigated. At room temperature this alloy consists of ordered γ-TiAl, α₂-Ti₃Al and β_o-TiAl phases. By increasing the temperature, α₂ and β_o disorder to α and β, respectively. In order to get a better understanding of dynamic recovery and recrystallization processes during thermomechanical processing, isothermal compression tests on TNM specimens are carried out on a Gleeble®3500 simulator. These tests are conducted at temperatures ranging from 1100 °C to 1250 °C (in the α/α₂+β/β_o+γ phase field region) applying strain rates in the range of 0.005 s^-1 to 0.5 s^-1 up to a true strain of 0.9. The evolution of microstructure along with the dynamically recrystallized grain size during hot deformation is examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The flow softening behavior after reaching the peak stress in the true stress-true strain curve is attributed to dynamic recrystallization. By using the Zener-Hollomon parameter as a temperature-compensated strain rate the dependence of flow stress on temperature and strain rate is shown to follow a hyperbolic-sine Arrhenius-type relationship.

Abstract: Intermetallic TiAl alloys are a class of innovative high-temperature materials which are developed to replace the substantially denser Ni-base alloys in low-pressure turbine blades of jet engines. By streamlining the production process of these parts, a substantial decrease in production costs can be achieved. To this end, a profound knowledge of the microstructural processes occurring during hot deformation is a prerequisite. To investigate the microstructural development during forming operations, cast and extruded as well as only cast specimens were hot-deformed and the microstructural development investigated in-situ by means of a novel diffraction method. This powder diffraction method utilizes the behavior of individual reflection spots on the Debye-Scherrer rings for deriving the materials response to the deformation imposed. It was found that the behavior of the two specimens is rather similar, although the starting microstructures show pronounced differences.

Abstract: Intermetallic TiAl alloys with a significant volume fraction of the body-centered cubic β-phase at elevated temperatures have proven to exhibit good processing characteristics during hot-working. Being a strong β stabilizer, Mo has gained importance as an alloying element for so-called β/γ-TiAl alloys. Unfortunately, the effect of Mo on the appearing phases and their temperature dependence is not well known. In this work, two sections of the Ti-Al-Mo ternary phase diagram derived from experimental data are shown. These diagrams are compared with the results of in-situ high-temperature diffraction experiments using high-energy synchrotron radiation.