Dynamic recrystallization in a near β titanium alloy under different deformation modes – Transition and correlation

Abstract

During the thermoforming of TC18 titanium alloy multi-cavity components, different deformation modes always exist and change, such as uniaxial compression (UC), shear-compression deformation (SCD), uniaxial tension (UT) and shear-tension deformation (STD). Dynamic recrystallization (DRX) of β grains occurs during the single-phase field deformation and has a great influence on the performance of components. In this study, the types and mechanisms of DRX in TC18 titanium alloy as well as transition and correlation under different deformation modes are investigated. It is found that discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX) initiates through grain boundary bulging at a low strain and dominates in different modes of deformation. Continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) initiates at different strains depending on deformation modes, and the mechanisms vary, subgrain rotation within grains and lattice rotation near GBs under UC and STD, while only subgrain rotation under UT, in addition to these two mechanisms, grain fragmentation is also involved under SCD. Secondary dynamic recrystallization (SDRX) only occurs at a high strain under SCD and STD. Deformation modes lead to differences in orientation, slip and rotation of grains, further result in different dislocation density, distribution and accumulation, which contribute to the occurrence and transition of different types of DRX. Meanwhile deformation modes result in differences in the difficulty of GB migration and lattice rotation, ultimately in the initiation and degree of DDRX and CDRX. The shear stress in SCD and STD promotes the occurrence of CDRX. The present results can provide a guidance for obtaining good performance of the titanium alloy components.