Optimization of mechanical properties of Ti–Fe–Sn alloys by controlling heterogeneous eutectic structure

Based on the previous investigation on the solidification evolution of the Ti–Fe–Sn bimodal nanoeutectic composites, Ti–Fe–Sn bimodal nanoeutectic composites containing the different degree of microstructural heterogeneity such as volume fraction have been successfully fabricated in order to elucidate the deformation and fracture behaviors. Compressive tests at room temperature show that the yield strength and plasticity gradually decrease with increasing the TiFe + Ti3Sn eutectic structure. Detailed investigations on the effect of the bimodal eutectic structure on the mechanical properties suggest that multiple nano-scale twins on the β-Ti, constituting the β-Ti + TiFe eutectic, lead to an increase the strength. Moreover, it is believed that the interface between the eutectic structures, size and morphology of the eutectic colony are important factors for improvement of the plastic deformation of the Ti–Fe–Sn bimodal nanoeutectic composites.