Study of Shock-processed Titanium Powder in View the Crystal Structure and Microstructure Dimension

Abstract

Titanium powder was rapidly solidified by using shock-wave consolidation technique. The critical parameters were controlled by the instrumented detonics and pin- oscillography. The compacted specimens were investigated for crystal structure and micro structural strengthening by using standard diagnostic techniques. The density of the final product was found to be more than 96% of the theoretical value. X-ray diffraction pattern reveals intact crystalline structure without the presence of any undesired phases. The particle size reduction indicated by XRD was supported by laser diffraction based particle size analyzer. The crystalline structure of the compacted specimen remained intact. No impurity or phase of any other kind was detected. There is no segregation within the compacts. Results from energy dispersive spectroscopy ruled out the possibility of any segregation within the compacts. This high-quenching during rapid solidification minimize chemical segregation and formation of massive phases and hence ensures a homogeneous fine-grained structure. Scanning electron microscopy showed crack-free, voids-free, melt-free, fracture-less compacts of titanium with a unidirectional dendrite orientation without any grain-growth. The particle size of the titanium powder calculated from SEM image found to be ~30μm that supports the earlier observation. Shock-wave consolidation being  transient in nature, owing to its short processing time, controlled  parameters and high quench-rates  proven to be a very helpful technique for obtaining a stable structural and microstrutural products. Hence, SWC technique helped in forming the uniform melt-free, crack-free, voids-free compacts of titanium  powder.