Microsegregation in high Nb containing TiAl alloy ingots beyond laboratory scale

Microsegregation in big ingots of Ti-45Al-(8-9)Nb-(W, B, Y) alloy had been studied. The composition and microstructural morphology of the large ingot exhibited significant microinhomogeneity. Three types of microsegregation were observed in as-cast microstructure of the large ingot. First is the solidification segregation (S-segregation) at interdendritic area, in which the composition is characterized by higher Al, B (boride), and Y (oxide) contents and lower Nb and W contents. Second is the β-segregation at the boundary and triple junctions among α grain due to the phase transformation of β → α. The composition at the segregation area is characterized by higher Nb and W additions that lead to the formation of β particles and γ phase. Third is the α-segregation that forms local lamellar structure composed of β, γ and α plates due to phase transformation of α → α2 + β + γ. The microsegregation for the PAM ingot is lower than that for SM ingot in terms of the volume fraction of β phase. The reason is that the PAM melting can offer better control of pouring temperature and rather fast cooling rate by water-cooled copper crucible.