Beta Ti-45Nb and Ti-50Nb Alloys Produced by Powder Metallurgy for Aerospace Application

Abstract

Beta titanium alloys parts are used on advanced aerospace systems because of their high strength to weight ratio and excellent corrosion resistance. Production of powder metallurgy titanium alloys components may lead to a substantial reduction in the cost, compared to those produced by conventional cast and wrought processes, because additional working operations and material waste can be avoided. In this work, beta Ti-45Nb and Ti-50Nb were produced by the blended elemental technique, followed by uniaxial and cold isostatic pressing with subsequent densification by sintering. Sintered samples were characterized for phase composition by XRD, microstructure by SEM, hardness by Vickers indentation, specific mass by the Archimedes method and elastic modulus by resonance ultrasound. The sintered samples presented only the beta phase, higher hardness and lower elastic modulus when compared to Ti6Al4V alloy and experimental specific mass value near theoretical specific mass. These characteristics are adequate for application on several aerospace parts.