Utilizing deformation ball milling (DBM) technology to overcome the strength-ductility trade-off in (TiB_w + La₂O₃)/TC4 composites

In this study, the DBM process was proposed to address the issue of severe agglomeration problem in composite powders, aiming to achieve (TiB_w whiskers + La₂O₃)/TC4 composites with intragranular distribution. The results indicated that 0.19 vol% (TiB_w + La₂O₃)/TC4 composites exhibited an ultra-high ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 1566 MPa and an elongation of 5.5 %. At higher temperatures of 400 °C, 500 °C and 600 °C, the UTS are 912 MPa, 868 MPa and 679 MPa, respectively. The synergistic effect of strength and ductility was mainly attributed to grain refinement, the Load transfer effect of TiB_w and La₂O₃, and the interaction between the hard whiskers and the soft matrix. This strategy both enhanced the understanding of the strength-ductility synergy offered a practical approach for designing ultra-high strength and high ductility discontinuous particulate reinforced titanium matrix composites (DRTiMCs).