The rate dependent response of a titanium alloy subjected to quasi-static loading in ambient environment

A dual phase Ti-6A1-4V alloy was tested in uniaxial tension over a large quasi-static loading range (10(-5)-10(-1) s(-1)) in ambient environment. As strain rate increases, strength of the alloy was found to increase at the expense of ductility. In the low strain-rate region, strain rate sensitivity of the material experienced a gradual decrease during plastic deformation. In the high strain-rate region, strain-rate sensitivity of the material was largely constant for most part of the plastic deformation. The different rate dependent behaviours are believed to be caused by a change of governing plastic deformation mechanism from dislocation slip at low strain rates to twinning at the highest strain rate. Strong fractographic and metallographic evidence was obtained to understand the micromechanisms of plastic deformation. (C) 2002 Kluwer Academic Publishers.