Oxidation behaviour of TiAl-based intermetallic coatings on γ-TiAl alloys

TiAl-based intermetallic layers with additions of Ag, Cr, Y and Hf were deposited on γ-TiAl specimens using magnetron sputtering. The oxidation behaviour of the coated Ti-45Al-8Nb (at.%) alloy was investigated at 850 °C and 900 °C under cyclic oxidation conditions in air. The ternary Ti-50Al-2Ag (at.%) coating did not provide oxidation protection to the substrate material at 850 °C. Two-phase γ-TiAl + Ti(Cr, Al)2 Laves coatings exhibited high oxidation resistance at 900 °C for up to 1000 cycles of 1 h dwell time at high temperature. During thermal exposure phase dissolution and transformation occurred. The slow oxide growth rates observed for the Ti – Al – Cr intermetallic layers were associated with the formation of a thin continuous alumina top scale established by the Laves, B2 and Z-phases. Small additions of hafnium and yttrium improved the oxidation resistance. In contrast, Ti – Al – Cr – Ag coatings exhibited poor oxidation behaviour at 900 °C.