Determination of (C(11)-C(12)) in Ti-36Nb-2Ta-3Zr-0.3O (wt.%) (Gum metal)

The single-crystal elastic constants of a recently developed multifunctional beta titanium alloy, Gum metal, have been obtained with the aid of in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Results indicate that (C(11) - C(12)) is approximately 33 GPa in this alloy, which is larger than previously predicted. Consequently it appears that this material would require a large local stress concentration in order to deform via ideal shear. X-ray diffraction analysis also suggests that Gum metal undergoes a stress-induced phase transformation during tensile loading. (C) 2008 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.