Particle impact damage in the gamma based TiAl alloy TNBV3B produced via three different processing routes

The impact resistance of the TiAl alloy TNBV3B produced via three processing routes – cast, forged and extruded – has been studied on flat and airfoil-like shaped specimens making use of ballistic impact experiments. Several factors influencing the damage behaviour were investigated. The evolution of centre and edge impact induced damage in flat specimens is characterized for different energy levels. Additionally, edge impact was studied for airfoil-like shaped specimens. The results indicate that it is necessary to differentiate between the properties influencing the impact crack initiation and the impact induced crack growth. For the former, strength and ductility appear to have an important influence. A dynamic fracture toughness is probably adequate to describe impact induced crack growth. As such a property was not available an analogy is sought with crack growth behaviour under monotonic and cyclic loading based on microstructural influences found investigating the cracked surfaces after impact.