Effect of Zr Addition on the Mechanical Properties and Superplasticity of a Forged SP700 Titanium Alloy

The present study focuses on the effect of 1% Zr addition on the microstructure, tensile properties and superplasticity of a forged SP700 alloy. The results demonstrated that Zr has a significant effect on inhibiting the microstructural segregation and increasing the volume fraction of β-phase in the forged SP700 alloy. After annealing at 820 °C for 1 h and aging at 500 °C for 6 h, the SP700 alloy with 1% Zr showed a completely globular and fine microstructure. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and tensile elongation of the alloy with optimized microstructure were 1185 MPa, 1296 MPa and 10%, respectively. The superplastic deformation was performed at 750 °C with an elongation of 1248%. The improvement of tensile properties and superplasticity of the forged SP700 alloy by Zr addition was mainly attributed to the uniform and fine globular microstructures.