Deformation Behavior of Ti-6Al-4V-0.1B Alloy Loaded under High Strain Rates

Abstract

Deformation and fracture behaviors of Ti-6Al-4V-0.1B alloy with Widmanstätten, equiaxed and bimodal microstructures were investigated by Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) under high strain rates of 2100-3200 s-1. The results showed that the equiaxed and bimodal structures had a higher bearing capacity at high strain rates than that of the Widmanstätten structure. With the same microstructure, the increase of strain rate gave rise to an improved uniform plastic deformation. According to an observation on the deformed microstructure, it was found that adiabatic shear behavior was the main reason for failure and fracture of the alloy. The formation and propagation of adiabatic shear bands (ASBs) was the precursor for the failure and fracture of the material. Cavities at the interface between TiB phase and the matrix readily formed due to the uncoordinated deformation, which are not the dominate reason for the failure and fracture.