Effect of processing parameters on the tensile behavior of laminated composites synthesized using titanium and aluminum foils

Purpose: This study describe effect of processing parameters on the tensile behaviour of laminated composites synthesized using titanium and aluminium foils. Design/methodology/approach: 50, 100 and 150 μm thick titanium and 50 μm thick aluminium foils have been used to fabricate Ti-Al3Ti and Ti-(Al3Ti+Al) composites. These laminated materials were synthesized in vacuum with controlled treating time and temperature. All composites were synthesized at 650°C. Treating time was a main factor determining the composition and tensile behaviour of the composites. Tensile tests were performed on the materials with different microstructures to establish their properties and fracture behaviour. Findings: Since the examinations showed that Al3Ti was the only intermetallic phase formed during the reaction between titanium and aluminium, the initial foil thicknesses affected only the volume fraction of the resultant Ti, Al and Al3Ti layers. Aluminium layers reacted completely after 60 minutes resulting in microstructures with Ti residual layers alternating with the Al3Ti layers. After 60 minutes of treating all composites had higher yield strength and higher ultimate tensile strength than composites after 20 minutes of treating produced with the same thickness of starting Ti foil. On the other hand, strain at fracture behaved conversely. Research limitations/implications: The results of investigations indicated that tensile behaviour of the composites depended strongly on the thickness of individual Ti layers and the presence of residual Al layers at the intermetallic centrelines. Originality/value: In the present study, the reaction synthesis was employed to fabricate laminated composites in vacuum using Ti foils with different original thicknesses and Al foils with one constant thickness.