Average oxidation state of Ti-Cu alloys comprised of lower temperature α-Ti(Cu) and Ti

It is known from literature that high oxidation state results in high oxygen-to-metal coverage which results in a stable protective metal-oxide layer. The metal-oxide layer that forms is a protective layer against corrosion. Current study uses the theoretical valence electron count (VEC) or electron per atom ratio (e/a) to determine average oxidation states of α- Ti(Cu) phase below eutectoid point and intermetallic Ti2Cu phase. This was done in order to study the effect of α-Ti(Cu) and Ti2Cu on average oxidation state of binary Ti-Cu alloys with various copper content. Using the theoretically determined oxidation states, it was possible to calculate average oxidation state of Ti-Cu alloys comprised of α-Ti(Cu) + Ti2Cu phases based on the volume fraction ratio. Oxidation state increased when Ti2Cu ratio increased.