Electron backscatter diffraction characterisation of liquid route processed Ti6242S/SCS-6 composites

Liquid route processed filamentary titanium matrix composites reinforced by ceramic filaments were investigated using electron backscatter diffraction and high resolution scanning electron microscopy. As-processed filamentary materials possess a metastable microstructure with martensitic α + retained β matrix and small sub-stoichiometric TiC1−x precipitates at the fibre/matrix interface. The heat treatment induced morphological and crystallographic modification of carbides and coarsening of the matrix. The analysis method was also used to validate a simulation route to obtain bulk materials having similar microstructural properties.