3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Development of PGMs-modified TiAl-based alloys and their properties(2017) Mwamba, Ilunga AlainTitanium aluminides Ti3Al (α2), γ-TiAl and TiAl3 have received much attention for potential applications where light weight for energy saving, room temperature corrosion resistance in aqueous solutions, high-temperature oxidation resistance, or where combinations of the above are needed. Gamma-TiAl of composition Ti-47.5 at.% Al with additions of platinum group metals (PGMs: Pt, Pd, Ru and Ir) was investigated for microstructure, hardness, room temperature aqueous corrosion, high-temperature oxidation resistance, mechanical alloying and consolidation by spark plasma sintering, and coating on titanium Grade 2 and Ti-6Al-4V substrates. Gamma-TiAl of Ti-47.5 at.% Al produced by melting and casting gave a microstructure consisting of γ grains and lamellar grains with alternating of α2 and γ phase lamellae. Additions of 0.2, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 at.% PGMs introduced new phases of high PGM contents. The γ and lamellar phases were still present. The additions of PGMs significantly improved the aqueous corrosion properties at room temperature, by improving the pitting corrosion resistance of the γ-TiAl alloy by modifying its hydrogen evolution of the cathodic reaction. The presence of PGMs also influenced the oxidation behaviour of γ-TiAl at 950°by forming the Z-phase which stabilized a continuous protective Al2O3 phase. However, Ti-47.5 at.% Al, being a two-phase alloy (α2+γ), PGMs could not sustain a stable Z-phase, as it transformed into an oxygen supersaturated Ti3Al, which subsequently led to the formation of TiO2+Al2O3, a non-protective oxide mixture. The optimal PGM addition to γ-TiAl was 0.5 at.%, with iridium giving the best room temperature corrosion and high-temperature oxidation resistance. Mechanical alloying of Ti and Al pure powders with PGM additions gave powders where α2 and γ were only identified after heat treatment. Consolidation of the mechanically alloyed powders by spark plasma sintering gave different microstructures from the cast alloys, with continuous α2 and γ phases and evenly distributed nanometer-sized alumina, and much higher hardnesses. Cold spraying the mechanically alloyed powders on to titanium Grade 2 and Ti-6Al-4V substrates gave coatings of irregular thickness, dense near the substrates with porosity at the top, giving poor oxidation protection.Item Characterisation of Al-Ti-B grain refiners prepared by aluminothermic reduction of TiO2 and B2O3(2006-11-14T11:26:37Z) Mwamba, Ilunga AlainMicrostructural characterisation was performed on Al-Ti-B grain refiners of different compositions prepared by aluminothermic reduction of TiO2 and B2O3 and dilution of the products in aluminium melts. The microstructure of the grain refiners showed needle-like TiAl3 particles as well as prismatic TiB2 particles. The TiB2 particles were coarser than those in conventional Al-Ti- B grain refiners. The microstructure also showed silicon particles and, in some cases, titanium carbide particles (TiC). The experimental grain refiners were subjected to rolling and reduced in thickness by 20, 40, 60 and 80%. The rolled samples were then heated at 625°C for 4 hours and allowed to cool slowly in the furnace. Significant changes in microstructure were noticed at 80% reduction. The flake-like and needle-like aluminide particles in the as cast microstructure were fragmented and aligned in the aluminium matrix, giving rise to short needle-like particles in parallel rows. These aluminide particles had rough edges which were rounded by heat treatment. The TiB2 particles were not affected in size or morphology by either the rolling or the heat treatment. The grain refining performance of the as cast materials was assessed. It was found that the experimental grain refiners had poorer performance than commercial grain refiners. The influence of mechanical and thermal treatments on the grain refining performance of the experimental Al-Ti-B grain refiners was also assessed. Cold working of the grain refiners had a positive influence on the grain refining performance promoting finer grain. Heat treatment of grain refiners after cold working was deleterious and led to a loss of grain refining capacity. The size and size distribution of TiB2 particles were determined related to grain refining performance and compared to theoretical models. A relationship was established between the size distribution of the TiB2 particles in the grain refiners and the grain size of inoculated aluminium. Grain refinement increased with decreasing proportion of coarse TiB2 particles in the grain refiners. This corresponded to a decrease in Ti and B contents and an increase in the Ti/B ratio.