Ion implantation of fluorine: towards high-temperature oxidation-resistant TiAl alloys


Ion implantation of fluorine: towards high-temperature oxidation-resistant TiAl alloys

Yankov, R. A.; Kolitsch, A.; Munnik, F.; Donchev, A.; Schütze, M.

Due to their light weight and high strength, TiAl alloys are of great interest for advanced automobile, aerospace and power generation applications. However, destructive oxidation occurring in these materials in air at temperatures above 700°C has to date hindered their widespread use. In the present study, the high-temperature oxidation behaviour of TiAl has been examined with consideration of the role of ion-implanted fluorine in providing practically useful oxidation protection. Samples of technical TiAl alloys have been treated by either beamline ion implantation of F or plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) of F using various F-containing precursor gases. The degree of oxidation protection has been evaluated by testing ion implanted samples under conditions of isothermal and thermal cyclic oxidation at temperatures as high as 1050°C. Optimized ion implantation processing has been found to produce marked improvement in the oxidation behaviour of the TiAl alloys. After PIII of F at a bias voltage of 30 kV, broad fluorine implant profiles extending to depths well beyond those predicted by the theory have been identified by elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA) in the as-implanted samples. The alloys modified in this way acquire a stable, adherent and highly protective alumina scale against environmental oxidation while retaining the bulk mechanical properties of the starting material. Some of the most important process parameters that enable the formation of an efficient protective scale are considered and assessed. PIII of F using suitable F-containing precursor gases has been successfully applied in protecting machine components made of gamma-TiAl and TNB such as turbine blades and turbochargers.

Keywords: Composition and Microstructure; Fluorine; TiAl alloys; Corrosion

  • Lecture (Conference)
    2008 MRS Fall Meeting, 01.-05.12.2008, Boston, USA

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Publ.-Id: 12087