Characterization of the phase separation in a Ti-Cr-Cu-Mn-Fe alloy

The metastable bcc solid solution (beta) in the alloy Ti65Cr13Cu16Mn4Fe2 is shown to phase separate during isothermal heat treatment at temperatures below 475 degrees C. During the early stages of the beta-beta+beta' phase separation, the matrix is in an extremely strained condition. As the phase separation progresses, the composition gradient increases as the level of strain decreases. With copper as a nontraditional major alloying addition, both bcc phases are still sufficiently beta-stabilized after the completion of the phase separation to inhibit the formation of alpha,omega, and intermetallics. Chemical examination reveals distinct Cr rich and separate Cu rich regions in the coarsened microstructure.