OPTIMIZATION OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF A TITANIUM ALUMINIDE METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITE USING A VISCOPLASTIC CONSTITUTIVE THEORY

The thermomechanical behavior of a titanium aluminide metal matrix com posite reinforced with silicon carbide fibers is computationally inves tigated to determine an optimum manufacturing process. The investigati ons are completed using the Ramaswamy-Stouffer constitutive model and the finite elenzent method. Hold times at a given temperature were use d in an effort to allow the residuals stresses to relax. However, the subsequent temperature changes erased the benefit of such holds. Therm omechanical cycling was determined to be the optimum method for reduci ng the residual stress field after cooldown from consolidation.