Influence of silicon containing phases on the high-temperature fracture behavior of Ti-based diborides

Hirle A, Bahr A, Wojcik T, Kutrowatz P, Seltsam J, Felfer P, Kolozsvari S, Polcik P, Boebel K, Riedl H, Hahn R (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Materials & Design Elsevier

Book Volume: 264

Article Number: 115758

DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115758

Abstract

Ti-TM-Si-B2±z (TM = Ta, Mo) coatings are a new class of materials known for their excellent oxidation resistance and mechanical stability. This study explores their fracture characteristics, particularly at room and elevated temperatures. We synthesized hexagonal structured coatings including TiB3.06, Ti0.26Si0.15B0.59, Ti0.23Mo0.07Si0.16B0.54, and Ti0.28Ta0.07Si0.12B0.53 using non-reactive DC magnetron sputtering. Conducting in-situ cantilever bending tests from room temperature to 850 °C revealed interesting insights into their plastic deformation capabilities. Specifically, Ti0.26Si0.15B0.59 and Ti0.23Mo0.07Si0.16B0.54 exhibited an onset of plastic deformation at approximately 600 °C, with a pronounced plastic response at 850 °C, which is attributed to Si-rich grain boundaries and Si nanoclusters identified by atom probe tomography. In contrast, the binary TiB3.06 and quaternary Ti0.28Ta0.07Si0.12B0.53 coatings exhibited fully linear-elastic behavior across all tested temperatures, despite silicide segregation in the quaternary coating. Notably, the Mo-containing coating exhibited the highest ductility, with strain to failure increasing from 1.7 % at room temperature to 3.3 % at 850 °C. Our findings indicate that the high-temperature fracture behavior of Ti-TM-Si-B2±z coatings is mainly governed by Si distribution and the underlying segregation pathways: The formation of pure Si-nanoclusters is found to promote enhanced ductility, whilst (mixed) silicide formation stabilises a less compliant grain-boundary network.

Authors with CRIS profile

Johannes Seltsam Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Allgemeine Werkstoffeigenschaften) Peter Felfer Professur für Atom Probe Tomography

Involved external institutions

Technische Universität Wien / Vienna University of Technology AT Austria (AT) Plansee Composite Materials GmbH DE Germany (DE) Oerlikon Balzers Coating Germany GmbH DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Hirle, A., Bahr, A., Wojcik, T., Kutrowatz, P., Seltsam, J., Felfer, P.,... Hahn, R. (2026). Influence of silicon containing phases on the high-temperature fracture behavior of Ti-based diborides. Materials & Design, 264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2026.115758

MLA:

Hirle, A., et al. "Influence of silicon containing phases on the high-temperature fracture behavior of Ti-based diborides." Materials & Design 264 (2026).

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