Grain boundary characteristics and tensile properties of Ti14 alloy after semi-solid deformation

The microstructure and room-temperature tensile properties of Ti14,a new α+Ti2Cu alloy,were investigated after conventional forging at 950°C and semi-solid forging at 1000 and 1050°C,respectively.Results show that coarse grains and grain boundaries are obtained in the semi-solid alloys.The coarse grain boundaries are attributed to Ti2Cu phase precipitations occurred on the grain boundaries during the solidification.It is found that more Ti2Cu phase precipitates on the grain boundaries at a higher semi-solid forging temperature,which forms precipitated zones and coarsens the grain boundaries.Tensile tests exhibit high strength and low ductility for the semi-solid forged alloys,especially after forging at 1000°C.Fracture analysis reveals the evidence of ductile failure mechanisms for the conventional forged alloy and cleavage fracture mechanisms for the alloy after semi-solid forging at 1050°C.