Effect of conditions of pulsed electron-beam melting for Al (film)/Ti (substrate) systems on phase formation and properties of Ti–Al surface alloys

Findings of comparative investigations are presented for phase formation, characteristics of hardening, tribological properties, and oxidation resistance of Ti–Al intermetallic surface alloys formed by multiple alternation of deposition of an Al film (0.1–1 $\mu$m) on a Ti substrate and pulsed liquid-phase mixing of Al and Ti by intense low-energy ($\sim$15 keV) electron beams with microsecond ($\sim$3 $\mu$s) and submillisecond (100 $\mu$s) duration. It is found that microsecond synthesis is effective for formation of $\gamma$(TiAl) oxidation-resistant surface alloys. In turn, submillisecond synthesis allows one to form Ti$_3$Al surface alloys with enhanced wear resistance.