Aluminizing of TiAl-Based Alloy Using Thermal Spray Coating

Abstract

Aluminizing the surface of a TiAl-based alloy (49.1 at% Al) was carried out by thermally spraying a pure aluminum coating and subsequent diffusion treatment at 1100°C. The influence of the diffusion time for the formation of Ti-Al intermetallic phases in the coating layers and the oxidation resistance of the aluminized TiAl-based alloys were investigated. The layer formed on the outermost surface was comprised of the Al-rich intermetallic T2iAl5 and contained pores. On the other hand, an intermediate layer consisting of TiAl2 and TiAl was formed between the outermost layer and the substrate. The thickness of the outermost layer decreased as the diffusion time increased, while the thickness of the intermediate layer increased. In addition, the coating/substrate interface changed from a wavy to a linear form with the growth of the intermediate layer. The aluminized coating showed good oxidation resistance at 900°C for all diffusion times.