Effect of forging and heat treatment on the microstructure of in situ TiC/Ti-1100 composites

In this paper, 1 vol.% TiC/Ti-1100 composite was fabricated using in situ technologies, and the β transus temperature of the composite was tested by metallographic techniques. The ingots after breakdown were forged in various temperature ranges, i.e. in the β phase field, in the (α + β) phase field, started in the β phase field and finished in the (α + β) phase field and in the upper α field. Microstructure of the composite after this four type forgings was studied by optical microscopy (OM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Silicide precipitated from the present composites was studied using TEM and energy diffraction spectrum (EDS). It was found that there is an increase about 100 K in β transus temperature compared to monolithic Ti-1100 alloy. Different typical microstructures were obtained after forging in different temperature ranges. Long axis direction of shuttle-shaped silicide has geometric connection with the direction of laths of α phase.