Influence of β anisotropy on deformation processes operating in Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-3Cr at room temperature

In the past, little attention was paid to the effects of the high beta fraction retained at room temperature on the deformation behavior of beta metastable titanium alloys. As it significantly differs from more conventional alpha/beta alloys, mostly constituted of alpha phase, a thorough investigation appears as mandatory. This is the aim of the present study through a detailed characterization of the operating deformation processes combined with an evaluation of the strain field heterogeneities. Tensile tests conducted in a scanning electron microscope coupled with markers tracking and electron back-scattered diffraction techniques enabled an in situ monitoring of the early activity of deformation systems. A major influence of the elastic anisotropy of the beta phase on the highly heterogeneous deformation behavior was revealed in the elastic and plastic regimes. The underlying mechanisms controlling the onset and the development of plasticity in beta metastable titanium alloys are clarified and discussed accordingly. (c) 2017 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.