Microstructural investigation of a deformed Ti66.1Cu8Ni4.8Sn7.2Nb13.9 nanostructure–dendrite composite

Investigation of the microstructure of a compressed Ti66.1Cu8Ni4.8Sn7.2Nb13.9 nanostructure–dendrite composite reveals that the deformed bcc β-Ti dendrites form a stepped morphology at the interfaces between the individual dendrites and the nanostructured matrix of hcp α-Ti and bct Ti2Cu phases. Furthermore, there is a unique stained contrast during the propagation and the interaction of the shear bands in the dendrites indicating a local structural change near to the apex of the shear bands in the dendrite. In contrast, the shear bands pass through coherent grain boundaries between the hcp α-Ti and the bct Ti2Cu phases of the nanostructured matrix.