Titanium aluminide intermetallics have received much attention for potential application in areas of aerospace, automobile and marine due to their relatively high strength, low density and high resistance to oxidation. They are likely to be exposed to a variety of corrosive environments. Therefore, knowledge of their corrosion behaviour is necessary for potential applications. The present work investigates the microstructure and corrosion behaviour of a number of titanium aluminides with salt-fog spray and methods of electrochemical polarisation. The mechanism of salt fog corrosion of Ti3Al is suggested. The addition of Nb and Cr changes their microstructure and surface composition which directly affect their corrosion and oxidation behavior. This is a valuable reference for corrosion scholars, engineers and researchers, as well as designers and operators.

Jim LEE (PhD, ME, PGDIP, M.Sc, B.Sc) is a chemical material and mechanical research scientist. He has worked at CACM, Department of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Auckland, New Zealand. He was awarded a Bright Future Doctoral scholarship, a Post Graduate Award from AINSE, Australia, a JSPS post doctoral fellowship and an NZ Science &Tech