Solid Metal Embrittlement of Ti-6Al-6V-2Sn by Cadmium, Silver and Gold⁽¹⁾

Solid metal embrittlement of Ti-6Al-6V-2Sn has been observed with Cd, Ag, and Au. A threshold temperature of 477 to 505 K exists for Ag and Au, below which no embrittlement was observed. Embrittlement by Cd at 421 K was confirmed. No embrittlement due to Cu or Ni was observed at temperatures as high as 560 K. Scanning Auger analysis of Ag and Cd embrittled samples indicated that (1) the fracture path is intergranular, (2) surface diffusion is the limiting transport mechanism, and (3) surface diffusion of Cd and Ag is over the titanium oxide. The fracture process is discussed in relation to liquid metal embrittlement.