Systems engineering of gamma titanium aluminides: impact of fundamentals on development strategy

Abstract In the late 1980's, research on gamma titanium aluminides focused on processing-structure-properties relationships. By the early 1990's, this research raised challenges to the ‘conventional wisdom’ regarding these materials. It was during this time period that the Structural Materials research group at the Materials Directorate constructed a research approach to these materials based upon a systems engineering analysis of alloy technology development. This approach contributed to the emergent successes of these materials and will play an important part in our development of new alloy systems. The approach incorporates analytical, computational and experimental research, over numerous material length and time scales, in parallel efforts. In so doing, the approach intrinsically couples science and engineering, lending insight into ‘best paths’ for engineering development. The integration of such knowledge forms the basis for the most relevant scientific inquiry, and efficient alloy technology development. This manuscript briefly summarizes some impacts of fundamental research on gamma alloys within our systems approach. A variety of scientific and engineering challenges remain to be solved, some of which are discussed. The findings may serve as a framework for future development efforts for other intermetallic systems.