Microstructure, mechanical and oxidation properties of in-situ synthesized (Y₂O₃ + TiC)/Ti-4.5Si composites

(Y₂O₃ + TiC)/Ti-4.5Si composites have been in-situ synthesized using arc-melting technology. Y₂O₃ and TiC particles grow in near-equiaxed and dendritic shapes, which are distributed uniformly in Ti-4.5Si matrix including the network Ti + Ti₅Si ₃ eutectic cells. From hardness and compressive tests at room temperature, (Y₂O₃ + TiC)/Ti-4.5Si composites show the higher hardness and compressive strength compared with the unreinforced and single TiC reinforced Ti-4.5Si matrix. The introduction of in-situ Y ₂O₃ and TiC particles influenced the oxidation behavior of the matrix. The excellent oxidation resistance of Y₂O₃ and TiC particle reinforced composites is attributed to lower growth rate, dense oxide scale and stronger adherence of oxide scale.