The Influence of Al Content on the Ignition and Flame Propagation Behavior of Ti1−xAlx Alloys in Enriched-Oxygen Environment

Titanium aluminide intermetallics have gained considerable attention as high-temperature structural materials for aerospace applications, but are susceptible to “titanium fire” under extreme service conditions. The role of Al elements on the combustion behavior of titanium aluminide intermetallics remains not fully understood. Herein, the influence of Al content on the ignition critical condition and burning rate of Ti1−xAlx alloys was investigated by using promoted ignition combustion (PIC) tests under oxygen-enriched atmosphere. Results indicated that the critical oxygen pressure of Ti1−xAlx alloys increases from 0.11 MPa to 0.23 MPa, and the ignition temperature under oxygen pressure of 0.41 MPa increases from 1059.5 ± 4.8 K to 1120.4 ± 2.5 K as Al content increases from 20 at% to 70 at%. However, the combustion rate increases from 11.85 ± 0.13 mm·s−1 to 14.05 ± 0.09 mm·s−1 as Al content increases from 20 at% to 70 at%. Moreover, the activation energy for ignition increases from 105.44 kJ·mol−1 to 153.04 kJ·mol−1 as Al content increases from 20 at% to 70 at%. According to the microstructure analysis after combustion, the influence of Al content on the ignition activation energy and burning rate is attributed to multiple factors involving bonding energy, melting temperature, and heat release.