Differences in microstructure and properties of Ti-based amorphous composites between recrystallization and partial remelting and semi-solid isothermal treatment

The as-cast specimens of Ti48Zr18V12Cu5Be17 amorphous composites were prepared by copper mold suction casting. Next, the as-cast specimens were treated using semi-solid isothermal treatment (SSIT) and recrystallization and partial remelting (RAP). The effects of SSIT and RAP on the microstructure and plasticity were analyzed. The results showed that the microstructure changed from fine crystals in the as-cast specimens to coarse bar crystals and near-spherical crystals in the SSIT and RAP specimens, respectively. The crystals of RAP specimens were finer and rounder than those of SSIT specimens due to recrystallization. In addition, the RAP specimens had high plasticity (20.93%), which is 428.5% and 45.2% higher than the as-cast and SSIT specimens, respectively. By observing the shear bands of the fractured specimens, it was found that the expansion of shear bands could not be impeded by the fine β-Ti crystals in the as-cast specimens, leading to an infinite extension that induces brittle fracture in the specimens. The essential cause of the poor plasticity of the as-cast specimens was revealed. In addition, the coarse β-Ti crystals effectively blocked the shear band expansion in the SSIT specimens, and a large number of shear bands were generated in these crystals. In contrast, the crystals of the RAP specimens had a greater number and density of shear bands compared to those of the SSIT specimens, and these shear bands intersected with each other in different directions. This revealed the mechanism by which the SSIT and RAP methods enhance the plasticity of amorphous composites.