Effect of Trace Ce and B Additions on the Mechanical Properties of Nb-3Si-22Ti Alloys

The Nb-Si system ultrahigh temperature alloys were prepared by vacuum non-consumable arc melting. The influence of micro-alloying elements of B and Ce on the hardness, room-temperature fracture toughness and compressive strength at 1250°C of the Nb-22Ti-3Si alloys was investigated and estimated systematically. The results showed that the hardness of the Nb-22Ti-3Si alloy increased obviously with trace B addition, but decreased slightly with trace Ce addition. The room-temperature fracture toughness of the Nb-22Ti-3Si alloy was degraded by the Ce addition but improved by the trace addition of B. The trace addition of B improved the compressive strength of the alloy at 1250°C. In contrast, the trace Ce addition degraded the compressive strength at 1250°C. The relationship between the microstructure and the mechanical properties was discussed.