Cermet Powders Based on TiAl Intermetallic for Thermal Spraying

Abstract

The paper presents a study of the formation process of cermet powders based on TiAl intermetallic with the addition of non-metallic refractory compounds. Non-metallic refractory compounds B4C, BN, SiC, and Si3N4 were chosen as strengthening components, improving the mechanical properties and resistance to high-temperature oxidation of TiAl-type intermetallic coatings. The composition of the initial mixtures was selected based on thermodynamic analysis of the interaction between TiAl intermetallic and non-metallic refractory compounds. As a result of the mechanochemical synthesis of powder mixtures, 73TiAl-27B4C, 69TiAl-31BN, 88TiAl-12SiC, and 83TiAl-17Si3N4 (wt. %) cermet powders are formed, consisting of titanium aluminide (TiAl, Ti3Al) phases and refractory compounds of aluminium (AlB2 and AlN) and titanium (TiB2, TiC, TiN, Ti5Si3). The conglomeration technology of produced cermet powders has been developed to enhance fluidity. Using conglomerated powders will provide their constant feed to the high-temperature jet and the formation of dense coatings during thermal spraying.