First experimental evidence of oxygen ordering in dilute titanium–oxygen alloys

Small addition of oxygen is currently used to improve the mechanical properties titanium. It has been thought, until now, that fully dissolves in titanium matrix, thus leading a solid solution. However, we show here, with transmission electronic microscopy and X-ray diffraction, can also form ordered precipitates Ti6O-type structure, even for concentration as low 0.15 wt% O. The found series pure binary Ti–O alloys are visible commercially titanium, including grades 2 4, two compositions widely technological applications.