AN ANALYSIS OF HETEROPHASE STRUCTURES OF TI3AL AND TIAL INTERMETALLICS SYNTHESIZED BY THE METHOD OF THE SPHERICAL SHOCK-WAVE ACTION

The paper presents analysis of the structures formed in the intermetal lic compound materials synthesized from Ti,AI-and TiAl-composition pow ders using the spherical shock-waves method. The shock-wave front was predetermined by location of explosive on a steel sphere of conservati on capsule which contained a mixture of Al and Ti. The role played in the formation of structure, by disperse iron fragments penetrating int o the bulk of the material during synthesis from the conservation caps ule, has been established. Complex investigation has revealed quite a variety of phases, including metastable and non-equilibrium ones. The intermetallics synthesized by this method are shown to have enhanced m icrohardness as compared with materials one can obtain using conventio nal techniques. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.