SummaryResults are presented of an investigation of the microstructure development during mechanical alloying and following consolidation of an Nb15Ti15Al alloy. The alloy was synthesized from elemental as well as pre-alloyed powders. The microstructure of this material was examined by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The use of pre-alloyed TiAl powder for synthesis of the Nb15Ti15Al alloy meant that a much shorter time was required to complete the mechanical alloying process compared with the synthesis of elemental powders. The investigation indicates that three phases were present in the consolidated materials: the Nb solid solution, the Nb 3 Al intermetallic phase and the dispersoid.

Summary In this work, an Nb15Al10Ti alloy produced by mechanical alloying was investigated. The milling of elemental powders of Nb, Al as well as TiAl intermetallic phase resulted in the formation of homogenous niobium solid solution, Nbss, and refinement of powder particles. Powder after milling was consolidated by conventional hot pressing at 1300°C under pressure of 25 MPa as well as by hot isostatic pressing at 1200°C under pressure of 1 GPa. Microstructure of consolidated material was examined by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Materials after consolidation were composed of three phases: niobium solid solution Nbss, Nb3Al intermetallic phase and titanium oxide dispersoid TiO. The analysis of the mechanical properties indicated that both refinement of microstructure as well as introduction of ductile Nbss into the microstructure contributed to very high yield strength and fracture toughness satisfactory for this strength.