Preparing damage-tolerant titanium-matrix composites

In-situ TiB-reinforced titanium alloy composites have been produced by both rapid solidification and ingot metallurgy techniques. The reinforcements have been shown to result in strength and modulus improvements, improved fracture toughness, increased fatigue endurance limit, and better fatigue crack growth and creep resistance than conventional monolithic titanium alloys. In addition to improved mechanical properties, in-situ composite structures and components with complex shapes can be fabricated using conventional ingot metallurgy, near-net shape forming techniques.