Fig. 1. TC4 powder. (a) SEM micrograph; (b) particle size distribution

Fig. 2. New-designed nozzle with hood. (a) Schematic; (b) real image

Fig. 3. Cloud diagrams for mass fraction of N₂ and O₂ adjacent to the surface of the TC4-N and TC4-Y samples

Fig. 4. Microhardness distribution of the LDEDed TC4-Y and TC4-N samples

Fig. 5. Tensile test and analysis of LDEDed TC4 samples. (a) Dimension of tensile sample (mm); (b) tensile curves; (c)(d) fractography of TC4-N sample; (e)(f) fractography of TC4-Y sample

Fig. 6. XRD spectra of LDEDed TC4 samples

Fig. 7. SEM micrographs of TC4-N and TC4-Y samples. (a)‒(c) TC4-N sample; (d)‒(f) TC4-Y sample

Fig. 8. TEM analysis of the TC4-Y sample. (a)‒(d) Bright-field, dark-field images and selected area diffraction pattern of α+β phase; (e)‒(f) bright-field image and selected area diffraction pattern of the twins; (g)‒(i) bright-field, dark-field images and selected area diffraction pattern of Ti₃AlC₂; (j) EDS analysis of β-Ti; (k) EDS analysis of Ti₃AlC₂

Fig. 9. Strengthening and toughening mechanisms of LDEDed TC4 alloy under atmospheric condition. (a) TC4-N sample; (b) TC4-Y sample