A new combinatorial approach to assess the influence of alloy composition on the oxidation behavior and concurrent oxygen-induced phase transformations for binary Ti–xCr alloys at 650°C

Poor oxidation performance of Ti-based alloys is an important life-limiting factor for high temperature applications. In this paper, a combinatorial approach is used to investigate systematically the influence of composition and time on the oxidation of Ti–Cr system. A compositionally graded Ti– x Cr specimen (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 40 wt%) was prepared and oxidized at 650 °C. The structure and composition of the oxide and near-surface region were studied and a critical composition of ∼20 wt% Cr was identified above which the oxidation resistance is enhanced. Below the critical composition transition to a rapid breakaway oxidation was observed for extended exposure times.