Microstructure,tensile deformation,and fracture in aged ti 10V-2Fe-3Al

In the /3-Ti alloy Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al a variety ofα-andω-aged microstructures with different yield stresses was established by combinations of forging and heat treatment. Tensile tests have shown that plastic deformation and fracture are strongly influenced by the morphology, size, and volume fraction of the different types of a-phase (primary a, secondaryα, grain boundaryα), as well as by the-phase. A detailed microscopical study revealed several deformation and fracture modes. It appears that at several sites stress and strain concentrations and subsequent void nucleation can occur and that the quantitative combinations of the differentα-types determine which sites are active. The dominant deformation mode for the (α +gb) solution treated andα-aged conditions was a strain localization in theα-aged matrix leading to voids at the interface between aged matrix and primary a-phase. In case of theβ-solution treated andα-aged microstructures the grain boundaryα leads to a strain localization in the softα-film and to void nucleation at grain boundary triple points at low macroscopic strains. Based on the above mechanisms it is discussed in detail how varying size, volume fraction, and morphology of theα-phase affect the ductility. The embrittling effect ofω-particles can be largely reduced by a grain refinement.