Microstructural Evolution in High-Strain-Rate Deformation of Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-1Cr-1Fe Alloy

To study the microstructural evolution in high-strain-rate shear deformation of Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-1Cr-1Fe (Ti-55511) alloy, a series of forced shear tests of hat-shaped specimens have been conducted using a split Hopkinson pressure bar combined with the “strain-frozen” technique. A localized shear band is induced in Ti-55511 alloy in these tests. The experimental results demonstrate that the flow stress in hat-shaped specimens remains constant (about 600 MPa) and is independent of punching depth. The width of the adiabatic shear band increases with increasing punching depth and tends to saturate at 30 μm, and the estimation of the adiabatic shear band (ASB) width in hat-shaped (HS) specimens has been modified. Relying on the experimental results, thermal softening has a minor effect on the onset of the adiabatic shear band and dynamic recrystallization formation, and the nucleation mechanism for dynamic recrystallization is strain-induced boundary migration and subgrain rotation and coalescence. In addition, we suggest the concept of adhesive fracture as the dynamic failure mechanism for Ti-55511 alloy.