PofoliaShared via Pofolia

The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology· 2026Q1

Evaluation of microstructure and mechanical performance of spark plasma sintered TiAl alloy reinforced with Si3N4 and TiCN additives

Akinsanya Damilare Baruwa, Ndivhuwo Ndou

Short summary

Adding 3 wt% Si3N4 to TiAl alloy via spark plasma sintering resulted in ~99.6% densification and 418 HV0.5 hardness, while 3 wt% TiCN additives yielded superior compressive strength (~2378 MPa) and strain tolerance (~35.6%).

AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.

Key points

  • TiAl composites with 3 wt% Si3N4 achieved ~99.6% densification and ~418 HV0.5 hardness.
  • TiAl composites with 3 wt% TiCN showed superior compressive strength (~2378 MPa) and strain tolerance (~35.6%).
  • TiCN additives resulted in better load transfer and interfacial bonding compared to Si3N4.
  • Fracture analysis indicated TiCN composites exhibited a more refined, energy-absorbing fracture mode.

AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.

Abstract

Abstract This work evaluates the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of spark plasma sintered TiAl-matrix composites containing 3 wt% Si 3 N 4 and 3 wt% TiCN additives. Microstructural and phase studies reveal the development of TiAl and Ti 3 Al phases in monolithic TiAl, whereas the 3Si 3 N 4 /TiAl and 3TiCN/TiAl composites display additional in situ-formed phases, such as Ti 5 Si 3 , Ti 2 AlN, and Ti 3 AlC 2 . Specifically, a relatively homogeneous microstructure with well-dispersed reinforcing phases was achieved in the TiCN/TiAl composite compared to the 3Si 3 N 4 /TiAl composite. Among the sintered composites, the 3Si 3 N 4 /TiAl composite exhibited the maximum densification (~ 99.6%) and hardness of approximately 418 HV 0.5 . Conversely, the 3TiCN/TiAl composite exhibits superior compressive strength (~ 2378 MPa) and improved strain tolerance (~ 35.6%), while the 3Si 3 N 4 /TiAl composite only shows moderate improvement owing to the less effective load transfer and weaker interfacial bonding. Analysis of the fractured surface indicates that pure TiAl exhibits brittle intergranular fracture, while the 3Si 3 N 4 composite displays a mixed brittle-quasi-ductile mode. The 3TiCN/TiAl composite presents a more refined, energy-absorbing fracture mode. These results show the effectiveness of TiCN particles in optimising the structural integrity and mechanical performance of TiAl-matrix composites for advanced engineering applications.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 2026 · DOI ↗

TakeawaysIn the app
Ask the paperIn the app

The rest is in the Pofolia app

Takeaways and questions to the paper; new summaries every day for your field. Free.

Sign in on the web to open

Field: Materials Chemistry

Materials ChemistryMaterials Science