New developments concerning the fluorine effect for TiAl-alloys

The fluorine effect improves the oxidation resistance of TiAl-alloys drastically. The formation of a non protective fast growing mixed oxide scale is suppressed and instead a protective alumina layer is formed after fluorine treatment. Fluorine can be applied by several methods which, however, have to be optimised. An overdoping can lead to enhanced oxidation and worsen the situation. The parameters for an optimised process will be described. An improvement of the already good performance of specimens treated only with fluorine can be achieved e.g. by dipping in inorganic acids containing additional elements to fluorine. The results of high temperature oxidation tests of differently treated TiAl-samples will be presented. Post experimental metallographic investigations reveal the oxide scales formed so that the effect can be rated. Finally the results will be discussed in the view of the models for the fluorine effect.