Development of Oxidation Protection Coatings for Gamma Titanium Aluminide Alloys
Metallic material systems play a key role in meeting the stringent weight and durability requirements for reusable launch vehicle (RLV) airframe hot structures. Gamma titanium aluminides (gamma-TiAl) have been identified as high-payoff materials for high-temperature applications. The low density and good elevated temperature mechanical properties of gamma-TiAl alloys make them attractive candidates for durable lightweight hot structure and thermal protection systems at temperatures as high as 871 C. However, oxidation significantly degrades gamma-TiAl alloys under the high-temperature service conditions associated with the RLV operating environment. This paper discusses ongoing efforts at NASA Langley Research Center to develop durable ultrathin coatings for protecting gamma-TiAl alloys from high-temperature oxidation environments. In addition to offering oxidation protection, these multifunctional coatings are being engineered to provide thermal control features to help minimize heat input into the hot structures. This paper describes the coating development effort and discusses the effects of long-term high-temperature exposures on the microstructure of coated and uncoated gamma-TiAl alloys. The alloy of primary consideration was the Plansee alloy gamma-Met, but limited studies of the newer alloy gamma-Met-PX were also included. The oxidation behavior of the uncoated materials was evaluated over the temperature range of 704 C to 871 C. Sol-gel-based coatings were applied to the gamma-TiAl samples by dipping and spraying, and the performance evaluated at 871 C. Results showed that the coatings improve the oxidation resistance, but that further development is necessary.
The isothermal and cyclic oxidation behaviour of Ti-48Al-2Cr at 700°C
The effect of the microstructure on the isothermal and cyclic oxidation behaviour of the intermetallic Ti–48A1–2Cr (at.%) alloy was investigated at 700°C in air up to 3000 h. Different microstructures, i.e., duplex, near gamma, nearly lamellar, and fully lamellar, obtained by various heat treatments, were used. Results of thermogravimetry showed a good oxidation resistance at 700°C against both isothermal and cyclic oxidation. The growth rate of the oxide scale, as well as its composition, structure and morphology showed no major relation to the microstructure of the base material. After equal exposure times, cyclic oxidation induced a higher oxidation rate compared to isothermal oxidation. Oxidation of Ti–48A1–2Cr in air, initially resulted in the formation of α-A12O3, TiO2 (rutile), Ti2A1N and TiN, with the latter two near the scale/substrate interface. After longer exposure times, the mixed corrosion scale was overgrown by fast growing TiO2. The oxide scales, formed under isothermal as well as under cy...
The effects of Cr additions to binary TiAl-base alloys
The effects of Cr additions to y-base alloys have been investigated, using bulk materials consolidated from rapid solidification-processed ribbons. The composition ranges studied were 0 to 4 at. pet Cr and 44 to 54 at. pet Al. It was found that Cr additions do not affect the deformation behavior of single-phase γ alloys. However, they significantly enhance the plasticity of Al-lean duplex alloys which contain grains of single-phase γ and grains of lamellar γ/α2. Other Cr effects on microstructure, phase stability, site occupancy, and deformation sub-structures were characterized and correlated to the observed mechanical behavior. It was concluded that the ductilization effect of Cr in duplex alloys is partially due to the tendency of Cr to occupy Al lattice sites. Ductilization is also partially due to the ability of Cr to modify the Al partitioning and, therefore, the thermal stability of transformed α2 laths.