Structure, mechanical, and functional properties of composites based on Ti13Nb13Zr and Ti18Nb8Zr alloys reinforced with borides

Metal-matrix composites Ti13Nb13Zr/(Ti,Nb)B and Ti18Nb8Zr/(Ti,Nb)B were produced by vacuum arc remelting; the TiB₂ content in the initial charge was 0.7 and 2.0 wt. %. Unreinforced Ti13Nb13Zr and Ti18Nb8Zr alloys produced by the same method were used for comparison. The structures of unreinforced alloys consists of acicular α-martensite fromed by submicron-thick laths located in a β matrix. The microstructure of the cast composites consisted of similar two-phase α + β matrices of Ti13Nb13Zr and Ti18Nb8Zr and numerous (Ti,Nb)B boride fibers randomly distributed in the matrices. The unreinforced Ti13Nb13Zr alloy exhibited a yield strength of σ_0.2 = 600 MPa and an elongation of δ = 21 %. The Ti13Nb13Zr/(Ti,Nb)B composites containing 0.7 and 2.0 wt. % TiB₂ in the initial charge showed an increase in yield strength to 620 and 730 MPa and a decrease in elongation to 3.6 and 0.5 %, respectively. For the unreinforced Ti18Nb8Zr alloy,  σ_0.2 = 560 MPa and δ = 15 % were obtained. The addition of 0.7 and 2.0 wt. % TiB₂ to the Ti18Nb8Zr alloy matrix increased the yield strength to 610 and 700 MPa and reduced elongation to 6.0 and 0.3 %, respectively. It was established that reinforcing Ti13Nb13Zr and Ti18Nb8Zr alloys with borides, regardless of their concentration, improves corrosion resistance of these materials. Investigation of the tribological properties revealed a high level of wear resistance for the Ti13Nb13Zr/(Ti,Nb)B and Ti18Nb8Zr/(Ti,Nb)B composites.

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