X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization of the ω phase in water quenched Ti-5553 alloy

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to investigate the ω phase in water quenched Ti-5553 alloy with a nominal composition of Ti–5Al–5V–5Mo–3Cr (wt.%), and the ω and the β phase were distinguished by deconvoluting the XPS spectra of Al2p, V2p and Cr2p core level regions. In addition, it is found that the binding energy of core level electron of alloying elements shifts comparing with that of pure metals, and the fact was interpreted by charge redistribution model. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy technique could be used to characterize the nano-scale ω phase in β alloys.

► We characterize the ω phase in Ti-5553 alloy by XPS.
► Binding energy of Al2p, V2p and Cr2p electron are different in the ω and β phase.
► Structural difference leads to the binding energy gap.