In this study, mechanical properties and microstructural investigation of Ti64 at high strain rate are studied
using a split-Hopkinson pressure bar method under compression for temperatures up to 800 °C. Flow softening
in the mechanical response of material to such loading conditions hints at instability in compression, which
increases with an increase in temperature. Microstructural characterization of the deformed material is
characterized using the electron-backscattered diffraction technique. It reveals the presence of instabilities in
Ti64 in the form of a fine network of shear bands. The shear band width grows with an increase in temperature
along with the area fraction of shear band in the material, displaying its improved capacity to contain
microstructural instabilities at higher temperature. After a detailed microstructural investigation, a mechanism
for shear band widening is proposed. Based on this mechanism, a path generating nuclei within shear bands is
discussed.
Funding
Department of Science and Technology (India) through grant number DST/RC-Uk/14-AM/2012
MAST: Modelling of advanced materials for simulation of transformative manufacturing processes
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council