A titanium composite with dual reinforcements of micrometer sized TiB and submicrometer sized Y2O3

It has been challenging to achieve good strength-ductility synergy in titanium metal matrix composites (Ti-MMCs). Herein we report a new Ti-MMC produced by multi-directional forging (MDF) undertaken in near β phase region. The developed composite exhibits a microstructure featuring dynamically recrystallized (DRX) ultrafine α-Ti matrix with uniformly dispersed micrometer sized TiB whiskers and submicrometer sized Y2O3 particles. This unique microstructure renders the composite an exceptionally high strength and good ductility at room temperature. The strengthening mechanism of the dually reinforced Ti composite is discussed.