Study of nanometer-scaled lamellar microstructure in a Ti–45Al–7.5Nb alloy – Experiments and modeling

Quenching of Ti–45 at%Al–7.5 at%Nb from the single α-phase region to room temperature followed by aging below the eutectoid temperature leads to the precipitation of ultra-fine γ-TiAl lamellae. In addition to an extensive experimental program, reported by Cha et al. in Intermetallics 16 (2008) 868–875, in this work a micromechanical and thermodynamical model is presented for the formation of γ-TiAl lamellae within the α2-Ti3Al parent phase. A global transformation condition allows to predict a thickness to length ratio in accordance with experimental observations. Furthermore, a local transformation condition offers the basis for a kinetic law. The modeling concept can be applied to similar problems of combined diffusive and displacive phase transformations.