Due to their remarkable mechanical and chemical properties,
Ti–Al-based
materials are attracting considerable interest in numerous fields
of engineering, such as automotive, aerospace, and defense. With their
low density, high strength, and resistance to corrosion and oxidation,
these intermetallic alloys and metal-compound composites have found
diverse applications. However, additive manufacturing and heat treatment
of Ti–Al alloys frequently lead to brittleness and severe formation
of defects. The present study delves into the interfacial dynamics
of these Ti–Al systems, particularly focusing on the behavior
of Ti and Al atoms in the presence of TiAl3 grain boundaries
under experimental heat treatment conditions. Using a combination
of molecular dynamics and Markov state modeling, we scrutinize the
kinetic processes involved in the formation of TiAl3. The
molecular dynamics simulation indicates that at the early stage of
heat treatment, the predominating process is the diffusion of Al atoms
toward the Ti surface through the TiAl3 grain boundaries.
Markov state modeling identifies three distinct dynamic states of
Al atoms within the Ti/Al mixture that forms during the process, each
exhibiting a unique spatial distribution. Using transition time scales
as a qualitative measure of the rapidness of the dynamics, it is observed
that the Al dynamics is significantly less rapid near the Ti surface
compared to the Al surface. Put together, the results offer a comprehensive
understanding of the interfacial dynamics and reveal a three-stage
diffusion mechanism. The process initiates with the premelting of
Al, proceeds with the prevalent diffusion of Al atoms toward the Ti
surface, and eventually ceases as the Ti concentration within the
mixture progressively increases. The insights gained from this study
could contribute significantly to the control and optimization of
manufacturing processes for these high-performing Ti–Al-based
materials.