Tailoring the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti–Al alloy using a novel electromagnetic stirring method

The effect of melt convection during the solidification of Ti45Al55 alloys was investigated in terms of microstructure evolution and the resulting mechanical properties. The samples were subjected to conventional induction melting as well as enhanced melt stirring by an external magnetic field using a specially designed floating zone arrangement. The stirred samples showed a significant improvement of plastic deformability. A strong change in the morphology from dendritic to spherical and an increased properitectic phase fraction were observed after stirring.