Abstract: A method for improving the microstructure of an article made by powder metallurgy of blended elemental titanium powder which comprises beta-solution heat treating the article at a temperature approximately equal to the beta-transus of the equivalent alloy, rapidly cooling the article, annealing the article at a temperature about 10 to 20% below the beta-transus and air cooling to room temperature. The resulting article has a fine alpha plate structure in a matrix of discontinuous beta phase.

Abstract: A method for improving the microstructure of an article made by powder metallurgy of prealloyed titanium powder which comprises beta-solution heat treating the article at a temperature approximately equal to the beta-transus of the equivalent alloy, rapidly cooling the article, annealing the article at a temperature about 10 to 20% below the beta-transus and air cooling to room temperature. The resulting article has a fine alpha plate structure in a matrix of discontinuous beta phase.

Abstract: A method for adding alloying elements having relatively low boiling points to base metal shaving relatively high melting points. The base metal is combined with the melting point-lowering metal; or metalloid and to this mixture is added the desired alloying metal or metals. No special equipment is required for this method.

Abstract: Titanium alloy composites having substantially reduced reaction zones are provided which comprise a high strength/high stiffness filament such as silicon carbide, silicon carbide-coated boron, boron carbide-coated boron and silicon-coated silicon carbide, embedded in a fine-grained titanium alloy containing at least 40 percent beta phase, less than 7 percent Al and having a beta-transus temperature below 1750.degree. F. (955.degree. C.).Also provided is a method for fabricating titanium composites which comprises mechanically working a desired titanium alloy to obtain sheetstock in a desired thickness and having a relatively fine grain size, laying up a preform and consolidating the preform under increased temperature and pressure, wherein consolidation is carried out at a temperature below the beta-transus temperature of the alloy, thereby reducing the amount of reaction zone between the filament and the alloy matrix.

Abstract: The microstructure of titanium alloy castings is improved by a process which comprises beta-solution heat treating the cast article at or near the beta-transus temperature of the alloy, cooling the article to room temperature at a rate in excess of air cooling and aging the article at a temperature about 0.8 to 0.9 of the beta-transus.

Abstract: This is a powder metallurgy method for producing fully dense compacted articles from powder charges of hydride-forming alloys, preferably titanium base alloys. The powder is hydrided, sealed in a collapsible container, heated to an elevated temperature and then hot compacted to produce a substantially fully dense article, which is then dehydrided, reheated and again compacted to remove any voids formed during dehydriding. The final article is characterized by relatively fine grain size and excellent formability.