The microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of 5 vol. % (TiB_w + TiC_p)/Ti composite produced by open-die forging

In this study, a Ti composite reinforced with 5 vol. % (TiB_w + TiC_p) was fabricated by an in situ casting route. Open die forging in (α + β) phase region was conducted on the composite casting. The microstructures of the as-forged composite pancake are inhomogeneous in terms of matrix microstructure and distribution of reinforcements. The matrix grains are gradually refined from the periphery to centre of the pancake. The reinforcements TiB_w and TiC_p tend to be uniformly distributed in the centre region. It is suggested that the microstructure difference can be mainly ascribed to the temperature variation from the periphery to the centre. The tensile testing results show that the centre region of the composite pancake exhibits higher strength than the peripheral region. The mechanical behaviour of the composite pancake with the temperature is discussed.