Superplastic behaviour and microstructure evolution of a fine-grained TA15 titanium alloy

Abstract

The fine-grained microstructure of TA15 titanium alloy was prepared through two-step forging technology combined with high and low temperatures, and a transnormal superplastic elongation of more than 2000% was obtained. The superplastic behaviour and microstructure evolution were systematically researched at different temperatures and strain rates through superplastic tensile test. The results indicate that the fine-grained TA15 alloy exhibits superplasticity at temperatures of 760–980°C and initial strain rates from 1.1 × 10⁻² to 5.5 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹. The optimal superplastic conditions are 940°C and 3.3 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, in which the average elongation is 2526% and the maximum elongation is 2743%. During superplastic deformation, dynamic recovery and recrystallization occur obviously, and the corporate effect of strain hardening and recrystallization softening decides the superplastic ability directly.