Effect of coherency stresses on α + α₂ phase equilibria in TiAl alloys

Experiments were performed on two TiAl alloys to examine recent theoretical predictions concerning the characteristics of coherent two-phase equilibria in binary alloys. Equilibrium phase compositions in both the coherent and incoherent α + α₂ states at 725 and 800°C were determined by analytical electron microscopy. The results provide experimental evidence for the following predictions: (1) tie-line ends (equilibrium phase compositions) need not coincide with phase boundaries in the temperature-composition phase diagram and (2) the tie-line ends change with alloy composition at constant temperature. The experimental results have been compared with theoretical calculations of α + α₂ phase equilibria incorporating both elastic and ordering effects.