Microstructural control of TiAl-Nb alloys by directional solidification

The lamellar microstructure of TiAl-Nb alloys with and without low boron additions is controlled using double directional solidification (DS). In alloys without the addition of boron, the β phase is seeded during double DS. Complete peritectic transformation occurs in both the dendritic and interdendritic regions, which can lead to the successful alignment of both the high-temperature α phase and the lamellar microstructures. Well-aligned lamellar microstructures can be easily achieved if the alloy composition is close to the peritectic point on the hypo-peritectic side. In alloys with low boron additions, however, the competitive growth of the α phase breaks the continuity of the lamellar microstructure in the region ahead of stable growth, which finally results in columnar grain coarsening and unsuccessful alignment of the lamellar microstructures.