Mechanical and oxidation properties of Ti–xFe–ySi alloys

New Ti-based alloys having reasonable mechanical properties and good oxidation resistance were designed by alloying with low cost elements of iron and silicon. From tensile tests at room temperature and 400 °C, Ti–4 wt.% Fe–(0.5–2)wt.% Si alloys were found to have the optimum combination of strength and ductility, which are comparable to the Ti–6Al–4V alloy. The precipitation of fine Ti-silicides and the reduction in α/β colony sizes are primarily responsible for the obtained mechanical behavior. The air oxidation resistance of Ti–4 wt.% Fe–(0.5–2)wt.% Si alloys between 700 and 1000 °C is far superior to that of the Ti–6Al–4V alloy, and even better than that of TiAl intermetallics. The formation of amorphous silica within the TiO2-rich oxide layers increased the oxidation resistance significantly.