Phase selection and solidification path transition of Ti–48Al–xNb alloys with different cooling rates

Ti–48Al–xNb alloys were solidified by containerless electromagnetic levitation with quenching system of the conical copper mold. The influence of cooling rates on phase selection of Ti–48Al–xNb alloys was investigated. In near-equilibrium solidification condition, the dendrite β phase is observed as the leading phase. No other metastable phase (e.g., α phase) is observed. In contrast, in rapid solidification condition, the metastable α phase is observed in as-quenched Ti–48Al–2Nb alloy. Furthermore, the metastable α phase is replaced by the primary β phase with Nb addition increasing. For Ti–48Al–(x = 4, 6, 8)Nb alloys, increasing cooling rate results in a solidification path transition. The peritectic reaction (L + β → α) is therefore significantly suppressed. The relationships between primary dendrite arm spacing (λ₁) and cooling rate (τ) can be described.