SUPERPLASTIC DEFORMATION OF TI-6AL-4V EXTRUDED TUBE

Superplastic forming using conventional alloys and product forms may be a cost effective route for component manufacture. In this paper superplastic deformation of Ti-6Al-4V extruded tube is examined in terms of the strain anisotropy, microstructural changes, the texture and the post-formed tensile properties. Superplastic deformation with low flow stresses over a wide range of strain rates was observed. Strain anisotropy and surface roughening occurred during deformation and was associated with the two-phase, aligned and banded microstructure. A small reduction in the tensile properties was found and changes in the texture were noted after superplastic deformation.