Effect of Nb on oxidation behavior of high Nb containing TiAl alloys

The isothermal oxidation behavior of Ti-45Al-8Nb and Ti-52Al-8Nb alloys at 900 °C in air was investigated. The early oxidation behaviors were studied by using XPS and AES. And the microstructure and the composition of the oxidation scale were studied by using XRD and SEM. The results show that the oxidation behavior of TiAl alloy is significantly improved by Nb addition. Nb substitutes for Ti in TiO2 as a cation with valence 5, and thus to suppress TiO2 growth. The (Ti,Nb)O2-rich layer is a dense and chemically uniform which is more protective than the TiO2 layer. Nb addition also lowers the critical Al content to form an external alumina. Nb2Al phase is formed in the metallic matrix at the oxide–metal interface on the high Nb containing TiAl alloys.