Bulk ultra-fine eutectic structure in Ti–Fe–base alloys

An ultra-fine eutectic structure has been obtained in the Ti 70.5Fe 29.5 binary alloy by slow cooling from the melt through arc melting and cold crucible rod casting. The addition of 3.85 at.% Sn to the binary Ti–Fe alloy induces a change of the morphology of the eutectic and increases the volume fraction of the FeTi ( Pm3 m) phase. A significant improvement of the plastic deformability of the ternary alloy has been observed under uniaxial compressive loading resulting in 16% strain to failure compared to 3.4% for binary Ti 70.5Fe 29.5. The morphology of the eutectic colonies, their refinement and supersaturation of the β-Ti phase are crucial factors for improving the ductility of the ultra-fine eutectic alloys.