Effect of Sintering Temperature on Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of Ti-Ta Composites

Powder metallurgical Ti-Ta composites, renowned for their high density, exceptional mechanical properties, and biocompatibility, have significant potential in aerospace and biomedical applications. In this study, Ti-Ta composites were fabricated using the hot-pressing sintering method at 900°C, 950°C, 1000°C, and 1050°C, respectively. The effects of sintering temperature on microstructural evolution and mechanical properties were systematically analyzed. The results show that both the strength and ductility of Ti-Ta composites improve with increasing sintering temperature. The density of Ti-Ta composites increases because of pore reduction, while the fraction of primary α-Ti content decreases, accompanied by a rise in β-Ti and secondary α-Ti (α_s-Ti) content. Additionally, the proportion of interfaces exhibiting the Burgers orientation relationship between primary α-Ti and β-Ti increases. Both α_s-Ti and ω-Ti precipitated within β-Ti maintain a well-defined crystallographic relationship with the surrounding matrix. The mechanical performance variations are directly correlated with the observed microstructural evolutions.