Fabrication and mechanical properties of Al2O3/TiAl in situ composites doped with Nb2O5

Al2O3/TiAl composites were successfully fabricated from powder mixtures of Ti, Al, TiO2, Cr2O3 and Nb2O5 by a hot-press-assisted exothermic dispersion method. The effect of the Cr2O3 and Nb2O5 addition on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Al2O3/TiAl composites was characterized. The results showed that the specimens are mainly composed of TiAl, Ti3Al, Al2O3, NbAl3 and Cr2Al. The Vicker-hardness and density of Al2O3/TiAl composites increase gradually with the increase of Nb2O5 content. When the Nb2O5 content was 6.54 wt %, the flexural strength and fracture toughness of the composites have a maximum values of 789.79 MPa and 9.69 MPa?m1/2, respectively. The improvement of mechanical properties is discussed in detail.