Titanium Aluminides - An Overview

Abstract

The object of this paper is to describe a coordinated research and development program which has been pursued by an Air Force-Industry-University team for more than twelve years. The focus of our attention has been on the development, processing, and engine testing of alloys based on intermetallic compounds, specifically on the aluminides of titanium, iron, and nickel. The titanium aluminides, Ti3Al and TiAl, are the materials with which we have been working the longest and on which development has proceeded the furthest. This Symposium has provided the first opportunity to review the progress of the titanium aluminide development programs sponsored by the Air Force and some of the engine testing efforts undertaken by the engine manufacturers.