Mechanical properties of a TiAl-based alloy at room and high temperatures

Intermetallic titanium aluminides have attracted considerable industrial interest for aero and automotive applications owing to their specific strength. These alloys are candidates for high-temperature applications such as turbine blades and turbocharger turbine wheels. In this work, the mechanical behaviour of an as-cast Ti-47Al-3Cr-3Nb (at.-%) alloy was studied. Four-point bending tests were performed to determine the mechanical properties of the alloy at both room and high temperatures. Microhardness and Young's modulus were evaluated by dynamic indentation tests at room temperature. Analyses of the as-cast alloy showed that, with the selected production process conditions, it has a duplex microstructure. Tests revealed that, while at room temperature the alloy is brittle, between 700 and 900°C it exhibits good ductility and mechanical properties.